Today, Interior and Environment Subcommittee Chairman Ken Calvert (CA-42) praised the passage of the Fiscal Year 2014 Omnibus Appropriations Act. The bill establishes the discretionary funding levels and priorities for all of our federal agencies and programs. The bill was approved by a bipartisan vote of 359 to 67.
"I am pleased that we have been able to come to a bipartisan, bicameral agreement that funds our government in a fiscally responsible way and reflects the priorities of Congress," said Rep. Calvert. "Taxpayers are better served when our spending decisions are made in the halls of Congress instead of the obscure offices of Washington bureaucrats."
"In particular, I am proud of the work done by the members of the Interior Subcommittee. With our economy continuing to struggle it is critical that Congress prevent the Obama Administration from imposing new restrictions on domestic energy production and stifling economic growth with excessive regulations. In an attempt to restrict the ever expanding regulatory reach of the EPA, we have reduced funding and included provisions to protect American jobs from unnecessary government red tape."
"Southern Californians know all too well about the danger of wildfires and it is extremely important that Congress provides adequate funding to mitigate this danger, especially in light of the ongoing drought conditions. The bill rejects the Obama Administration's irresponsible cuts in the hazardous fuels reduction program and fully funds these activities."
In total, the bill provides $3.9 billion for wildfire fighting and prevention programs within the Department of the Interior and the Forest Service. This level will fully address wildland fire operations for the Department of the Interior and the Forest Service at the 10-year average level, and fully reimburse the agencies for all fire-borrowing in fiscal year 2013. In addition, the bill provides $452 million for hazardous fuels reduction activities, which is $150 million above the President's budget request.
"I am also pleased with our ability to fulfill our commitment to maintain and ensure the public's access to our public lands. Americans pay far too much in taxes to experience reduced operations at our National Parks."
The bill provides $2.6 billion for the National Park Service, an increase of $28.5 million over the fiscal year 2013 enacted level. This will allow every national park to remain open and operational throughout fiscal year 2014 without the threat of closure or employee furloughs, and provide for the hiring of seasonal employees.
LOCAL PRIORITIES
Santa Ana River Mainstem Project -- The bill fully funds the Corps of Engineers' budget request of $42 million for the continued construction of the Santa Ana River Mainstem flood control project. The project provides critical flood protection throughout Riverside, San Bernardino and Orange Counties.
The funds will be applied as follows:
$22,000,000 -- Award BNSF Railroad Bridge Protection construction contract for Reach 9 Phase 2A
$12,000,000 -- Award Reach 9 Phase 4 construction contract
$7,600,000 -- Engineering & Design and mitigation efforts for the ongoing Reach 9 contracts
$400,000 -- Continue Seven Oaks Dam mitigation efforts
The bill also contains nearly $800 million in additional funds for the Corps of Engineers to investigate and construct additional flood control projects. A number of Southern California projects will be eligible for this funding.
Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) Grants - The bill provides $20 million for the retrofit of diesel engines to improve air quality.
March Air Reserve Base -- The bill provided funding for the following projects at March Air Reserve Base:
Joint Regional Deployment Processing Center - Phase 1 ($19,900,000)
The provided funding will allow for the construction of Phase I of the Joint Regional Deployment Processing Center at March Air Reserve Base, which serves to process military personnel from I Marine Expeditionary Force, 452nd Air Mobility Wing, Army Reserves, and Federal and State entities for deployment in support of global missions. The existing facilities are outdated, reducing throughput capabilities, causing lengthy processing times, and fail to meet current Anti-Terrorism/Force Protection (AT/FP) standards.
NOSC Moreno Valley Reserve Training Center ($9,086,000)
The provided funding will allow for the construction of a new facility to house the Navy Operational Support Center (NOSC) Moreno Valley Training Center. Construction of the new structure will allow the Navy to forego an expensive renovation of the current, aging structure. Furthermore, as a result of the 1993 Base Realignment and Closure Commission realignment of March Air Force Base and language in the 2004 National Defense Authorization Act, the NOSC Moreno Valley must relocate to a new site. The current structure does not meet AT/FP standards and the new structure will meet all applicable requirements and meet the needs of the approximately 550 personnel assigned to NOSC Moreno Valley.
MQ-9 Strategic Basing - The bill contained language, requested by Rep. Calvert, that requires the Air Force to submit a report on its Reaper UAV placement strategy. Currently, the 163d Reconnaissance Wing operates a Predator Formal Training Unit at March Air Reserve Base. The unit's schoolhouse Predators are stored, maintained, launched and recovered at Southern California Logistics Airport (SCLA). Below is the specific Appropriations bill report language regarding the report requested by Rep. Calvert:
"The Committee directs the Secretary of the Air Force to submit a report to the congressional defense committees with the fiscal year 2015 budget request providing a detailed, location- by-location schedule for the basing of MQ--9 Reapers including, where appropriate, the replacement and planned disposition of MQ--1 Predator aircraft to be replaced by the MQ--9. The report shall also include the criteria by which the Air Force determines the order of priority for MQ--9 beddown locations and the impact that MQ--1/MQ--9 transition will have on existing MQ--1 flying training units."
WATER
CALFED -- The bill includes a provision extending authorization of the Calfed Bay-Delta Authorization Act, which Rep. Calvert originally authored, by one year and provides $37 million for the program, which supports the development of critical water infrastructure in California.
WaterSmart Grant Program - $19 million for the Bureau of Reclamation's grant program, which provides cost-shared funding for projects that save water, improve efficiency, and facilitate transfers to new uses. A number of Inland Empire water agencies have received funding through the WaterSmart Grant program in the past.
EARTHQUAKE HAZARDS
Language is included in the bill report expressing support for the U.S. Geological Survey's efforts to continue developing an earthquake early warning prototype system on the West Coast. In total, the bill provides $53 million for the USGS earthquake hazards program.
NATIONAL SECURITY
MQ-9 Procurement -- The bill maintained the House passed $68 million increase for an additional 8 MQ-9s. The MQ-9s play an increasingly important role supporting military operations.
Military Pension "Fix" -- The legislation amends the Ryan-Murray Agreement to exempt medically retired personnel and survivor benefit plan recipients from having their cost-of-living benefits temporarily reduced. This will ensure disabled veterans and surviving families receive the full benefits they are due.
The bill will fund important Department of Defense programs and projects, a pay raise for our troops, and the advancement of our military operations to protect the nation from current and future threats.
E-VERIFY
The bill fully funds E-Verify, a program originally authorized by Rep. Calvert's legislation that helps companies check if their employees may legally work in the United States, at $114 million.
Other key provisions contained in the bill:
No funding for High Speed Rail;
Provisions to stop the transfer or release of Guantanamo detainees into the U.S.;
A provision prohibiting funds for the Army Corps of Engineers to change the definition of "fill material," which could have harmful effects on many U.S. industries;
A provision to ensure Yucca Mountain maintains its viability for future use;
Provisions to protect Second Amendment rights;
A ban on the Administration's onerous "light bulb" standard; and
Bans and limitations on federal agency conferences, travel, and awards.