Issue Position: Environment

Issue Position

As Chairman of the National Parks, Forests, and Public Lands Subcommittee, Congressman Grijalva has fought to preserve our public lands and make sure their unique needs are considered in our legislative climate change efforts. His bill, the Climate Change Safeguards for Natural Resources Conservation Act, was included in the House-approved America's Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009. Raúl continues to advocate sustainable energy policies that help our economy, not only by creating jobs but by reducing energy costs and dependence on imported fuel. He has worked to transition this country away from destructive and exploitative energy practices that increase pollution, devastate ecosystems and hold us hostage to unsustainable fossil fuel consumption.

Raúl has supported the following bills during the 111th Congress, which began Jan. 6, 2009. He wrote and offered each bill listed here except the FLAME Act, of which he was an original co-sponsor.

HR 5355 -- To repeal the limitation of liability of a responsible party for a discharge or substantial threat of a discharge of oil from an offshore oil facility.

Grand Canyon Watersheds Protection Act -- To withdraw the Tusayan Ranger District and Federal land managed by the Bureau of Land Management in the vicinity of Kanab Creek and in House Rock Valley from location, entry, and patent under mining laws.

Federal Land Assistance, Management and Enhancement (FLAME) Act* -- To authorize a supplemental funding source for catastrophic emergency wildland fire suppression activities on Department of the Interior and National Forest System lands, and to require the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture to develop a cohesive wildland fire management strategy.

National Landscape Conservation System Act -- Establishes in the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) the National Landscape Conservation System (thus enacting into law the National Landscape Conservation System [NLCS] created by BLM in 2000) in order to conserve, protect, and restore nationally significant landscapes that have outstanding cultural, ecological, and scientific value.

Climate Change Safeguards for Natural Resources Conservation Act -- To establish an integrated Federal program to protect, restore, and conserve the Nation's natural resources in response to the threats of climate change and ocean acidification.

Southern Arizona Public Lands Protection Act -- To withdraw certain Federal lands and interests located in Pima and Santa Cruz counties, Arizona, from the mining and mineral leasing laws of the United States.

Saguaro National Park Boundary Expansion and Study Act -- To expand the boundary of Saguaro National Park and to study additional land for future adjustments to the boundary of the Park.

Lower Colorado River Protection Act -- To provide for the protection of the quality of water in the Lower Colorado River and the development and implementation of a comprehensive plan for the prevention and elimination of pollution in the Lower Colorado River and the maintenance of a healthy Lower Colorado River ecosystem.

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