THE NATURE CONSERVANCY for NATURE CONSERVANCY

Budget/Appropriations BUD

S. 569, LWCF, Land and Water Conservation Authorization and Funding Act, To amend title 54, United States Code, to provide consistent and reliable authority for, and for the funding of, the Land and Water Conservation Fund to maximize the effectiveness of the Fund for future generations, and for other purposes; all provisions. H.R. 502, To permanently reauthorize the Land and Water Conservation Fund, To permanently reauthorize the Land and Water Conservation Fund; all provisions, specifically interior appropriations and State, Foreign Operations appropriations. H.R. 2862, Wildfire Disaster Funding Act; to provide for wildfire suppression operations, and for other purposes, all provisions. Specifically, discussion of a comprehensive Fire Funding Solutiton. 2018 Farm Bill; specifically requests to preserve funding for the bill,met with Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) about funding specific programs [no bill number] 2017 Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act; all provisions relating to National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration's budget/appropriations; specifically coastal zone management grants (CZM), Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery Fund (PCSRF), and Sea Gran Fellows program. [no bill number] FY18 Presidents Budget Request specifically relating to cuts to Agricultural Research Service (ARS) and Bureau of Land Management (BLM), elimination of Americorps. [no bill number] Forest Legacy Project; discussed future project with Minnesota representatives and future appropriations. [no bill number] Skinny Budget and Appropriations Bill, all program and agency funding related to function 300. [no bill number] FY18 Interior Appropriations; specifically in regards to the North American Wetlands Conservation Act, Land and Water Conservation Fund, Sage Grouse, funding for the Conte Refuge, funding for the Taunton Wild and Scenic River (National Park Service), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management and U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Department of Interior, Natural Resources Conservation Service, the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative and the Cooperative Endangered Species Conservation Program. [no bill number] FY18 Agriculture Appropriations; specifically funding for the Agrigultural Research Service (ARS) and Farm Bill programs funded through the Conservation Title (Title II) funding. [no bill number] FY18 Appropriations for Sage Grouse; discussed a focused appropriations effort for the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) Burns station. [no bill number] FY18 Corporation for National and Community Service Funding (Americorps); Discussed support for Americorps program; signed coalition letter to prevent elimination of Americorps program. [no bill number] FY18 Fire and Forest Management Priorities; specifically regarding wildfire suppression, Collaborative Forest Programs (CFLRP), joint fire science and hazardous fuels reduction; Wildfire Disaster Funding Act (WDFA). [no bill number] FY18 Land & Water Conservation Fund; priority consideration of Lower Table Rock within FY18 LWCF recreational access use funds. [no bill number] FY18 Readiness and Environmental Protection Integration Funding [no bill number] FY18 Appropriations for water supply funding and wildland fire at Dept of Interior and Dept of Agriculture [no bill number] FY18 Appropriations for two endangered fish recovery programs [no bill number] FY18 Energy and Water Appropriations; specifically, the Hamilton City Ecosystem Restoration,Flood Damage Reduction project, the Upper Mississippi River Restoration Program (UMRR) and to support funding for the Navigation and Ecosystem Sustainability Program (NESP). [no bill number] Natl Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Appropriations. Specifically discussions related to the Sea Grant Program, Coastal Zone Management Grants and Coastal Resiliency Programs. Also, discussions related to the Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery Fund. [no bill number] Funding for Habitat Conservation Plans, Endangered Species Act (Sections 6 and 10). [no bill number] Homeland Security Appropriations, specifically dealing with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) budget [no bill number] Discussions about funding for EPA Regional Programs

Contacted: Internal Revenue Service (IRS); Interior, Dept of (DOI); U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS); Vice President of the U.S.; Homeland Security, Dept of (DHS); Army, Dept of (Corps of Engineers); Transportation, Dept of (DOT); Defense, Dept of (DOD); SENATE; Bureau of Land Management (BLM); Agriculture, Dept of (USDA); White House Office; Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA); Council of Economic Advisers (CEA); U.S. Forest Service; Office of the Vice President of the United States; Office of Management & Budget (OMB); Commerce, Dept of (DOC); Energy, Dept of; HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Environmental Protection Agency (EPA); President of the U.S.; Natl Park Service (NPS); Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ); Natl Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)

Bills named: H.R. 502 (115th), H.R. 2862 (115th), S. 569 (115th)

Natural Resources NAT

H.J.Res.44 - Disapproving the rule submitted by the Department of the Interior relating to Bureau of Land Management regulations that establish the procedures used to prepare, revise, or amend land use plans pursuant to the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976. Opposed all provisions, specifically supported attempts to protect BLM Planning Rule 2.0. H.R. 200, Strengthening Fishing Communities and Increasing Flexibility in Fisheries Management Act; To amend the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act to provide flexibility for fishery managers and stability for fishermen, and for other purpose, all provisions. H.R. 502, S. 896, To permanently reauthorize the Land and Water Conservation Fund; all provisitons. S.569 - Land and Water Conservation Authorization and Funding Act, To amend title 54, United States Code, to provide consistent and reliable authority for, and for the funding of, the Land and Water Conservation Fund to maximize the effectiveness of the Fund for future generations, and for other purposes, all provisions. H.R. 527, S. 273, Greater Sage-Grouse Protection and Recovery Act, To provide for the protection and recovery of the greater sage-grouse by facilitating State recovery plans, and for other purposes. Expressed concerns and asked delegates to oppose bill. H.R. 2936, Resilient Federal Forests Act of 2017, To expedite under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 and improve forest management activities on National Forest System lands, on public lands under the jurisdiction of the Bureau of Land Management, and on Tribal lands to return resilience to overgrown, fire-prone forested lands, and for other purposes. Expressed concerns about the Westerman Bill. H.R. 2862, Wildfire Disaster Funding Act, To provide for wildfire suppression operations, and for other purposes, all provisions. S.1057, Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Research and Control Amendments Act of 2017, To amend the Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Research and Control Act of 1998 to address harmful algal blooms, and for other purposes, all provisions. S.110, Digital Coast Act, To require the Secretary of Commerce, acting through the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, to establish a constituent-driven program to provide a digital information platform capable of efficiently integrating coastal data with decision-support tools, training, and best practices and to support collection of priority coastal geospatial data to inform and improve local, State, regional, and Federal capacities to manage the coastal region, and for other purposes. All provisions. H.R.214, S.1332 American Fisheries Advisory Committee Act, To establish the American Fisheries Advisory Committee to assist in the awarding of fisheries research and development grants, and for other purposes. All provisions. [no bill number] Coral Reef Conservation Act; implementation of act and development of reauthorization. [no bill number] Forest Management Reform Bill. Specifically discussed forest platform prinicples, fire borrowing and thoughts on the Stafford Act vs. the Budget Control Act approach [no bill number] National Flood Insurance Reform Bill; specifically discussions on wildfire suppression fix. Preparation to lobby, bill not yet introduced. [no bill number] Infrastructure Bill; worked to influence investments in infrastructure to include natural infrastructure and nature-based solutions. [no bill number] Endangered Species Act, specifically Sections 6 and 10. [no bill number] Prep conversation to discuss a bill or agency oversight work regarding Aquaculture oversight. Discussions with members of Congress regarding Farm Bill, Land & Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) International Conservation, Everglades Funding and Dept of Defense conservation programs. H.R. 2023/S. 1520: Modernizing Recreational Fisheries Management Act of 2017 H.R. 1558, 2874, 2875,2246, 3804, 3805/S 1313, 1368, 1507: Reauthorization of National Flood Insurance Program: advocating for stronger mitigation and mapping provision.H.R. 1434/S 571 Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest Land and Adjustment Act [no bill] International Conservation Funding an Policy

Contacted: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Energy, Dept of; Agriculture, Dept of (USDA); Environmental Protection Agency (EPA); Council of Economic Advisers (CEA); Homeland Security, Dept of (DHS); Natl Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA); Bureau of Land Management (BLM); Transportation, Dept of (DOT); Internal Revenue Service (IRS); Army, Dept of (Corps of Engineers); Natl Park Service (NPS); Commerce, Dept of (DOC); President of the U.S.; Interior, Dept of (DOI); Vice President of the U.S.; Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ); White House Office; U.S. Forest Service; SENATE; U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS); Defense, Dept of (DOD); Office of the Vice President of the United States; Office of Management & Budget (OMB); Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

Bills named: S. 1332 (115th), H.R. 1558 (115th), H.R. 2023 (115th), H.R. 1434 (115th), H.R. 2862 (115th), H.R. 502 (115th), H.R. 200 (115th), H.R. 2936 (115th), H.J.Res. 44 (115th), H.R. 527 (115th), H.R. 214 (115th), S. 896 (115th), S. 1520 (115th), S. 110 (115th), S. 273 (115th), S. 569 (115th), S. 1057 (115th)

Taxation/Internal Revenue Code TAX

[no bill number] Conservation friendly tax policies; discussed interest in the not yet proposed tax reform bill including tax credits for landowners relation to nutrient management or stormwater management, tax incentives for private capital investment in green infrastructure and the creating of a conservation capital gain incentive.

Contacted: Agriculture, Dept of (USDA); Office of Management & Budget (OMB); Vice President of the U.S.; Internal Revenue Service (IRS); Homeland Security, Dept of (DHS); Council of Economic Advisers (CEA); Natl Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA); Interior, Dept of (DOI); Army, Dept of (Corps of Engineers); Bureau of Land Management (BLM); President of the U.S.; Transportation, Dept of (DOT); U.S. Forest Service; HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS); Environmental Protection Agency (EPA); Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ); Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA); Energy, Dept of; White House Office; Defense, Dept of (DOD); Commerce, Dept of (DOC); SENATE; Natl Park Service (NPS); Office of the Vice President of the United States

Transportation TRA

[no bill number] Potential Infrastructure Package. Preparation for a legislative campaign surrounding an infrastructure package promised by the administration. Seeking support for the inclusion of natural infrastructure as a priority for investment.

Contacted: U.S. Forest Service; Council of Economic Advisers (CEA); Energy, Dept of; Internal Revenue Service (IRS); Agriculture, Dept of (USDA); Interior, Dept of (DOI); Transportation, Dept of (DOT); President of the U.S.; Vice President of the U.S.; Natl Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA); U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS); Bureau of Land Management (BLM); SENATE; Natl Park Service (NPS); Office of Management & Budget (OMB); Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ); White House Office; HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Defense, Dept of (DOD); Environmental Protection Agency (EPA); Commerce, Dept of (DOC); Army, Dept of (Corps of Engineers); Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA); Office of the Vice President of the United States; Homeland Security, Dept of (DHS)

Clean Air and Water (quality) CAW

H.J. Res. 36, S.J. Res. 11; Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the final rule of the Bureau of Land Management relating to "Waste Prevention, Production Subject to Royalties, and Resource Conservation". Congressional Review Act to overturn methane waste rule; opposed all provisions. H.R. 1579, To require drinking water systems to assess and address their vulnerability to climate change, source water degredation and international acts to ensure security and resiliency; all provisions. H.R. 2875, To make administrative reforms to the National Flood Insurance Program, to increase fairness and accuracy and protect the taxpayer from program fraud and abouse, and for other purpose, all provisions. H.R. 6670 Emergency Drought Relief Act Secure Water Act

Contacted: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Interior, Dept of (DOI); Office of Management & Budget (OMB); Natl Park Service (NPS); Defense, Dept of (DOD); Council of Economic Advisers (CEA); Natl Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA); Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA); Environmental Protection Agency (EPA); Army, Dept of (Corps of Engineers); Energy, Dept of; Transportation, Dept of (DOT); Commerce, Dept of (DOC); U.S. Forest Service; U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS); Office of the Vice President of the United States; White House Office; SENATE; President of the U.S.; Internal Revenue Service (IRS); Homeland Security, Dept of (DHS); Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ); Agriculture, Dept of (USDA); Bureau of Land Management (BLM); Vice President of the U.S.

Bills named: H.R. 2875 (115th), H.J.Res. 36 (115th), H.R. 6670 (115th), H.R. 1579 (115th), S.J.Res. 11 (115th)

Real Estate/Land Use/Conservation RES

H.J.Res.44 - Disapproving the rule submitted by the Department of the Interior relating to Bureau of Land Management regulations that establish the procedures used to prepare, revise, or amend land use plans pursuant to the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976. Opposed all provisions H.R.1434, S 571 - Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest Land Adjustment Act, To authorize the sale of certain National Forest System land in the State of Georgia. All provisions. [no bill number] Public Lands Policy - Landscape-Scale Mitigation Policy [no bill number] Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Mitigation Policy, which includes a Manual Chapter, Handbook, and Solicitors M Opinion. [no bill number] Service Wide Mitigation Policy [no bill number] Endangered Species Act Compensatory Mitigation Policy [no bill number] Voluntary Prelisting Conservation Actions Policy FY2018 Farm Bill: conservation and forestry titles H.R. 502/S 896 Land and Water Conservation Fund: permanent funding H.R. 2862 Wildfire Disaster Funding Act

Contacted: Office of Management & Budget (OMB); Office of the Vice President of the United States; Vice President of the U.S.; President of the U.S.; U.S. Forest Service; Internal Revenue Service (IRS); Commerce, Dept of (DOC); Natl Park Service (NPS); Interior, Dept of (DOI); Council of Economic Advisers (CEA); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; SENATE; Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ); Army, Dept of (Corps of Engineers); Energy, Dept of; Bureau of Land Management (BLM); White House Office; Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA); Homeland Security, Dept of (DHS); Defense, Dept of (DOD); U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS); Natl Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA); Environmental Protection Agency (EPA); Agriculture, Dept of (USDA); Transportation, Dept of (DOT)

Bills named: H.R. 502 (115th), H.J.Res. 44 (115th), H.R. 1434 (115th), H.R. 2862 (115th)

Agriculture AGR

2018 Farm Bill, specifically Titles II, V, VII, and VIII. Roundtable discussions, including discussions relating to bolstering conservation rewards and incentives, prioritizing key resource issues, encouraging conservation of significant habitat, improving water quality and supply, groundwater sustainability and promoting soil health. Forest title and other forest related sections. Conservation title including expanding the acreage cap under the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) and expanding the working lands component. Advocated for an increase in funding for the Agricultural Conservation Enhancement Program (ACEP) and the Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP). Research title, specifically dealing with sage brush science. Recommendations to strengthen water quantity and irrigation effiency. Specifically, the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP), Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG), and Soil, Health, and Landscape Initiatives.

Contacted: Army, Dept of (Corps of Engineers); Bureau of Land Management (BLM); U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS); White House Office; SENATE; Agriculture, Dept of (USDA); Vice President of the U.S.; Transportation, Dept of (DOT); Internal Revenue Service (IRS); Interior, Dept of (DOI); President of the U.S.; Environmental Protection Agency (EPA); Office of Management & Budget (OMB); Commerce, Dept of (DOC); Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA); Natl Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA); Defense, Dept of (DOD); Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ); Council of Economic Advisers (CEA); Energy, Dept of; Natl Park Service (NPS); Office of the Vice President of the United States; U.S. Forest Service; HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Homeland Security, Dept of (DHS)

Energy/Nuclear ENG

H.R. 195, Federal Register Printing Savings Act of 2017; To amend title 44, United States Code, to restrict the distribution of free printed copies of the Federal Register to Members of Congress and other officers and employees of the United States, and for other purposes; supported entire resolution related to climate change. H.R. 2326 Climate Solutions Commission Act; To accelerate reductions in climate pollution in order to leave a better planet for future generations and to create a bipartisan commission to develop economically viable policies to achieve science-based emissions reduction targets, all provisions. Seeking cosponsorship of bill. H.Res.195, Expressing the commitment of the House of Representatives to conservative environmental stewardship (Stefanik Resolution); all provisions related to climate change. S. 385 Energy Savings and Industrial Competitiveness Act, To promote energy savings in residential buildings and industry, and for other purposes, all provisions. Seeking cosponsorship of bill. [no bill number] Energy Reform Bill; Forest Biomass provisions, and provisions dealing with the Land and Wildlife Conservation Fund, Federal Land Transaction Faciliation Act (FLTFA), North American Wetland Conservation Act, and additional conservation and sportsmen reauthorizations. [no bill number] Protecting Climate Change Programs and Paris Agreement; discussed protecting the Paris Agreement commitements through funding and U.S. Leadership. [no bill number] Participated in House Bipartisan Cliamte Solutions Caucus and encouraged House members to join the Caucus. [no bill number] Methane Congressional Review Act, all provisions. [no bill number] Shaheen Portman Bill, specifically, discussions about energy efficiency and grid modernization. [no bill number] Grid Modernization bills, invited members to attend our energy reform an modernizing electric grid policy forum

Contacted: Homeland Security, Dept of (DHS); Energy, Dept of; U.S. Forest Service; President of the U.S.; HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Natl Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA); Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA); SENATE; Transportation, Dept of (DOT); Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ); Commerce, Dept of (DOC); Bureau of Land Management (BLM); Office of Management & Budget (OMB); Vice President of the U.S.; U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS); Council of Economic Advisers (CEA); Office of the Vice President of the United States; Natl Park Service (NPS); Defense, Dept of (DOD); White House Office; Agriculture, Dept of (USDA); Internal Revenue Service (IRS); Army, Dept of (Corps of Engineers); Interior, Dept of (DOI); Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Bills named: H.R. 195 (115th), H.Res. 195 (115th), H.R. 2326 (115th), S. 385 (115th)