The Honorable Todd Tiahrt

Floor Statement

FY 2008 Interior & Environment Appropriations

June 26, 2007

I yield myself such time as I might consume.

Mr. Speaker, Chairman Dicks is to be commended for the reasonable manner
in which he has conducted the business of the Interior Appropriations
Subcommittee.  The subcommittee\'s work this year has been largely a
bipartisan, collaborative effort.   

In spite of the comity reflected in much of the subcommittee's work,
however, the minority does have genuine policy differences with the
Democrat majority and a divergence in views over the level of funding
necessary to address the critical needs of this bill.

Our 38 subcommittee hearings revealed many unmet needs and urgent
priorities. Still, while we have an obligation to be good stewards of
our environment and public lands for future generations, we also have an
obligation to be good stewards of our tax dollars.  In that respect,
this legislation falls short.\
\
The 302(b) allocation for this bill is \$27.6 billion, a \$1.9 billion
increase over the President\'s budget request and a \$1.2 billion
increase over the enacted fiscal year 2007 Interior bill. 

The enacted FY07 Interior bill, itself, was \$400 million above the
House passed level.

This FY08 subcommittee allocation represents a seven percent increase
above the budget request, and a 4.3 percent increase over the FY07
enacted level. 

The initial subcommittee allocation---which was \$858 million above the
FY07 enacted level---though very generous, would have resulted in a
better, more balanced bill.  The additional \$335 million, added to the
subcommittee\'s already charitable allocation, is simply unnecessary
and, more importantly, ***[unsustainable]{.underline}***.  

No matter how well-intentioned, this overly generous allocation will
cause many of the same problems down the road that this subcommittee has
been trying to resolve in recent years---namely, huge backlogs in
operations and maintenance.\
\
This circumstance is, in many respects, similar to a homeowner who
receives a big bonus and uses these extra funds to buy ***a bigger
house*** for his family.  The bonus is welcome and unexpected. Buying a
bigger house seems like a great idea at the time.  But down the road, he
realizes that he can\'t depend on getting a bonus ***[every
year]{.underline}*** and he finds himself unable to afford living in his
new house.  He, like this subcommittee, risks becoming overextended and
unable to pay the bills.  The difference is the homeowner goes bankrupt;
the government just keeps on spending.

It is human nature that we desire to create new programs, build new
structures, and buy new land.  Yet, no one worries about the future
costs to maintain them. \
\
Over the years, this subcommittee has learned through good oversight
that **[too little money]{.underline}** can do real harm.   The same is
true for ***[too much money]{.underline}***.  We believe the
subcommittee should strive for ***[balance]{.underline}***.  And that is
precisely what the original subcommittee allocation achieved. 

***We ought*** to provide enough money to allow the agencies to carry
out their primary mission.  ***We should*** focus on taking good care of
what we presently have in the public trust.  ***We have*** to give
careful, thoughtful consideration before purchasing something new. 
Again, ***we must*** strive for balance.  As this bill goes to
conference with the Senate, I am hopeful that Chairman Dicks will be
sensitive and responsive to this challenge. 

Many areas within this legislation have achieved balance.  I applaud
Chairman Dicks' focus on the operating accounts within this bill.  There
has clearly been erosion in this area due in part to the absorption of
pay and fixed costs over the years. 

However, I believe the subcommittee should move more cautiously in
providing funds for new land acquisition and construction.  While there
are high priority needs in these areas, it is important that we focus on
the core missions of these agencies and not become over-extended.  The
subcommittee risks creating a larger problem down the road by hastily
expanding current areas that we cannot oversee or creating new ones we
cannot maintain.\
\
Many will recall that when Congress provided these agencies too much
funding, too quickly, in the early to mid-1990\'s, they lost focus. The
result was huge backlogs, redundant programs, large unobligated balances
(many of which still remain), and numerous operational shortfalls.  Our
job is to provide for core needs, be vigilant about oversight, and avoid
the mistakes of the past.

I recognize that Chairman Dicks and Chairman Obey have a special place
in their hearts for the great open spaces in our country.  And, I know
that they appreciate the grandeur of our National Parks.  I join both
Chairmen in supporting the \$198 million increase in the Operations
budget for the National Park Service.\
\
I am also pleased with the needed attention this bill provides to Native
Americans.  There are many unmet needs within Indian Country---in
education, health care, law enforcement, methamphetamine treatment, and
other areas---and this bill does a great deal to address these
priorities.  I also believe it critically important to restore full
funding for the Urban Indian Health Clinics---and this bill does
that.   

While this bill is positive in many respects, I would be remiss if I
didn\'t outline several specific areas where I would have written this
bill differently.

The fire season is upon us once again and catastrophic fires out West
are again commanding national headlines. It is appropriate that this
bill provides additional funding for wildfire preparedness at the Bureau
of Land Management and U.S. Forest Service.  Subcommittee hearings this
year demonstrated that there is great interest---and great
concern---over this ongoing wildfire challenge which is presently
consuming almost 45 percent of the Forest Service budget. 

In light of the large subcommittee allocation, and the tremendous
anticipated need during this fire season, I think the subcommittee could
have done even more to address fire preparedness.

While reasonable people may disagree over the cause, there is clearly a
need for more focused science on Climate Change.  I believe Chairman
Dicks would agree that our response to climate change must look at
long-term solutions rather than simply trying to provide a quick fix. 
The USGS is the science agency for the Department of the Interior, and I
believe they should manage any additional funds directed to address this
issue for the Department.\
While I have the greatest respect for Chairman Dicks, I am concerned
about including the Global Climate Change Sense of the Congress
resolution in this bill.  My concern is based on the simple fact that it
does not reflect the consensus opinion of the many climate change
experts who testified before the subcommittee this year.  It proposes
conclusions and solutions to a problem that is not yet fully
understood.  Historically, mandatory market-based limits have not
worked. \
\
I believe we need to make wise, science-based decisions rather than
merely respond to the heated rhetoric of the day.  As one agency
scientist testified this year, our greatest need is to focus on the gaps
in credible scientific information.  Without understanding the complete
scientific data, we will be unable to solve the problems created by
climate change.  And, it will create false hope, presenting bad
solutions to the wrong problems. 

America needs to secure its own sources of energy---be it from oil,
natural gas, coal, nuclear, renewable, or other sources. A strong and
vibrant economy, and the well-paying jobs that go along with it, is
closely linked with reliable---and preferably inexpensive---energy
sources.

If we want to help businesses and the workers they employ to continue to
build and strengthen our economy, we must provide them with the tools
they need to pursue reliable sources of energy. I believe responsible
use of our resources is precisely the right course.

The approximately 43 million Outer-Continental Shelf (OCS) acres under
lease generally account for about 20 percent of American's domestic
natural gas. To address the growing demand for domestic sources of
natural gas, Mr. Peterson last year offered a common-sense amendment in
full committee which was supported on a bipartisan basis. Republicans
and Democrats alike agreed that the United States needed to lessen its
dependence on foreign sources of natural gas. Mr. Peterson will soon be
offering the same amendment on the House floor and I urge its adoption.

Many of you have heard me say over the past few months how fortunate I
am to have been selected to be the Ranking Member of the Interior,
Environment Appropriations Subcommittee. Not only do I have the
privilege of working with my good friend Norm Dicks, but I also have had
the pleasure of working with the fine Appropriations Committee staff.

First I would like to thank Debbie Weatherly and Dave LesStrang on the
Republican staff for all their hard work and dedication to not only
crafting this bill but also preparing me for this new subcommittee and
this new role as the Ranking Member. This spring would have been a very
difficult learning process but for their guidance.

Many of you know Debbie and her impeccable stewardship of this
appropriations bill during the Republican Majority. She is one of the
most beloved and respected committee staffers I have ever come across.
The fact that Members across the aisle continue to consult her is a
testament to her depth of knowledge. I have appreciated all the time she
has spent with me over the past few months. I know that her husband,
Glenn, has missed her and I'm glad that he will soon get to see more of
her.

I am also extremely grateful that Dave LesStrang has taken on Interior
Appropriations as part of his portfolio for Mr. Lewis. Like Debbie, Dave
is one of the most respected and well liked staffers on the Capitol
campus. I thank Mr. Lewis, and especially Dave's wife, Elaine, and his
sons Matthew and Michael, for their patience and for allowing him to
spend so much time on the important work of this subcommittee.

Let me also commend Steve Crane of the minority staff for his guidance
on issues relating to offshore oil and gas drilling. Steve's expertise
on these issues is exceeded only by his knowledge of anything related to
the Boston Red Sox.

I am also grateful to the majority staff, led by Mike Stephens. They
have been cooperative in not only crafting this bill but also helping me
and my staff become acquainted with the Interior, Environment
Appropriations process.

The entire Interior staff is to be commended for fostering a spirit of
teamwork in crafting this legislation. Chris Topik, Delia Scott, Greg
Knadle, Beth Houser, and Martin Brockman are bright, friendly, dedicated
and among the most knowledgeable staffers on the Hill. I am pleased that
once this bill is passed they will finally have a weekend for
themselves!

I would be remiss if I did not also point out the many contributions of
Pete Modaff and Kelli Shilito of Chairman Dicks's staff, as well as Jeff
Kahrs, AmyClaire Brusch, and Melissa James of my own staff.

In closing, Mr. Speaker, while we have real policy differences and
spending concerns relating to this legislation, it is our hope that
between now and conference negotiations with the Senate later this year,
we can address those issues of disagreement and seek bipartisan
consensus on a reasonable, sustainable subcommittee allocation.  Our
sincere desire is to work with Chairman Dicks to fashion a responsible,
balanced conference report worthy of broad, bipartisan support. 

I reserve the balance of my time.