Congress Prepares For Wild Rockies Wilderness Debate

This is a brief account of my recent Wild Rockies Wilderness Lobby Excursion to Washington D.C.

During the “First 100 Hours” on Capitol Hill we – Colleen Corrigan (NREPA Network), Steve Kelly, Clarice Dreyer and Carl Ross (Save America's Forests) – experienced first-hand the transition of power, catching a candid glimpse of some rare moments in America’s history. Generally, Democrats appeared cautiously optimistic, while many Republicans presented long faces, clearly having difficulty adjusting to the new power arrangement. Many congressional offices were still without phones and computers. Committee assignments had not been finalized.

We had a very productive week roaming the halls of the House and Senate office buildings on behalf of the Northern Rockies Ecosystem Act (HR 1204 in the 109th). I have tried to prioritize the list of contacts in relative importance, most important meetings first.

New sponsor Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY)
We met with Anna Cielinski, Maloney’s natural resources staff, to discuss proposed changes to the bill and the primary sponsor shift from Rep. Christopher Shays (R-CT) to Rep. Carolyn Maloney. We also discussed concerns co-sponsors from the 109th may have about changes and how that might delay reintroduction and/or a hearing. Anna is enthusiastic, knows the bill and will be a fabulous asset as we move forward.

Rick Healy, House Natural Resources Committee, chairman Rep. Nick J. Rahall II (D-WV).
Rick Healy has a lot on his plate. He was very interested, kind, and very supportive. He helped us plan a strategy to move the bill this session. All changes were discussed. This was a very important meeting.

Rep. Christopher Shays (R-CT)
We met with Marissa Varnadore, Shays’ legislative assistant, to thank Shays for sponsoring the bill all through the years of a Republican House majority. They will continue to play a strong supporting role and agreed to help get new members on board. They have graciously accepted that Rep. Carolyn Maloney will take the lead.

House Speaker, Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA)
We met in the Speaker’s chambers with Lara Lerison, Pelosi’s legislative assistant on environmental issues. The new speaker has not yet decided how to interact with our bill. Traditionally, speakers don’t co-sponsor legislation. Pelosi has always been a very strong and outspoken supporter.

Rep. George Miller (D-CA)
We met with Ben Miller, George Miller’s legislative director. He is very supportive. Rep. Miller, former chairman of the House Natural Resources Committee is a key to our success with Speaker Pelosi and other committee members. Miller maintains a very close working relationship with Pelosi and other D’s on the committee, especially on environmental issues. He is the new Education Committee chairman, which will take considerable energy and focus.

Rep. Jay Inslee (D-WA)
Met with Tracy Nagelbush, senior policy advisor to Rep. Inslee. Inslee has supported NREPA, and although unconfirmed at the time of our visit, is likely to replace Rep Greg Walden (R-OR) as chair the Natural Resources sub-committee on Forests and Forest Health. They remain strong supporters. Inslee plans to reintroduce without significant amendments his “Roadless Rule” bill modeled after the Clinton Roadless Rule.

Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-OH)
Met with Vic Edgerton, legislative assistant, to talk about tactics and strategy and passing the bill in the House. He suggested strong grassroots action, move the delegations in affected states and keeping Maloney strong. He also agreed the Progressive Caucus might be helpful if we can focus their attention toward the bill.

Rep. Raul M. Grijalva (D-AZ)
Met with Glen Miller, chief of staff, and Rachel Kondor, senior legislative assistant. Talked at some length about tactics and strategy. Grijalva is on the Resources Committee, and very supportive of our bill. These are very positive people with good ideas.

Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA)
Met with staff assistants briefly to discuss procedures for approaching Progressive Caucus with NREPA and wilderness issues. Rep. Lee is chair, and rounds out he Bay Area tri-fecta of Pelosi, Miller and Lee. More work will be needed to gain their attention/support.

Rep. Edward Markey (D-MA)
Met briefly with Morgan Gray, legislative assistant. Thanked them for their long support and discussed reintroduction and a possible hearing. Rep. Markey is a high ranking Democrat on the House Natural Resources Committee.

Rep. Mike Simpson (R-ID)
Met with Lindsay Slater, chief of staff, about NREPA and CIEDRA. Very interesting meeting. They showed some willingness to not oppose NREPA. Of course, in exchange they wanted us to agree not to oppose CIEDRA. We cordially declined, went back and forth and agreed to disagree.

Rep. Dennis Rehberg (R-MT)
This was purely a courtesy call. We met with Bridger Pierce, Rehberg’s LA. Rehberg made a quick appearance, chatted the small talk and went about our business. Rehberg is now a “victim” of the new power shift. He lost his conference room and is in a small office in the basement. Just another riches-to-rags story.

For more information on the Northern Rockies Ecosystem Act go to wildrockies alliance.org. -- or you can read several recent articles published at newwest.net.

http://www.newwest.net/index.php/topic/article/wildest_bill_on_the_hill_coming_soon/C41/L41/

http://www.newwest.net/index.php/topic/article/ending_the_war_over_wilderness/C146/L41/