Fascinating and Fast-PacedFederal Legislative Efforts: 2011 Priorities

By Angela T. Howe, Esq.

February 25, 2011

DIMDIM Staff Presentation

Surfrider Foundation: 2011 Priorities

Campaign-Oriented: Surfrider Federal Legislation will follow our Campaign Focus path

Top Priority Campaigns:- Rise Above Plastics- Not the Answer

Playing Defense: More bad bills may arise in the current Congress (e.g. the current Continuing Resolution)

The Role of Federal Legislation

Role is Limited: Surfrider uniquely situated as a non-DC based group with a grassroots ocean-loving constituency

Powerful Tool: Issues will bubble up; Voices heard through action alerts; Activists will want to know

= DIRECTED, NARROW EFFORT

RISE ABOVE PLASTICS

-Marine Debris Prevention and Reduction Act-Up for reauthorization in MarchUp for reauthorization in March-Want to lobby for land-based focus through EPA Want to lobby for land-based focus through EPA as well as Derelict Fishing Gear through NOAAas well as Derelict Fishing Gear through NOAA- Partners: Clean Water Action, TOC, GaramendiPartners: Clean Water Action, TOC, Garamendi

-Plastic Bag Reduction Act -Introduced in April 2009 by Rep. MoranIntroduced in April 2009 by Rep. Moran-5 cent fee on all carryout bags; increases to 25 5 cent fee on all carryout bags; increases to 25 cent fee in 2015cent fee in 2015-Revenue is used for Land and Water Conservation Revenue is used for Land and Water Conservation FundFund

NOT THE ANSWER: OIL DRILLING LEGISLATION

No New Drilling Act (HR 261) Bill by Rep. Frank Pallone (NJ) that bans all

new offshore drilling in the U.S. Action Alert launched Jan. 25,2011

West Coast Ocean Protection Act (HR 612) Introduced by Rep. Garamendi (CA) to

permanently prohibit the conduct of offshore oil drilling off the West Coast of CA, OR, & WA

Big Oil Bailout Prevention Act (HR 295) Rep. Holt (NJ) introduced this bill to amend

1990 OPA to require responsible parties to pay the full costs of offshore oil spills

Similar bills in Senate (S.214 and 215)

Continuing Resolution threatens to drastically limit the EPA's ability to work with Gulf communities in the aftermath of the BP oil disaster

NOT THE ANSWER: MORE OIL DRILLING LEGISLATION

Oil Spill Commission Recommendations Act (HR 501) Bill by Rep. Markey (MA) that provides for

National Commission on BP Oil Spill recommendations to be implemented.

Includes elements from the oil spill response bill

Resources of Oil Spill Research and Prevention (S.204) Introduced by Sen. Begich (AK) to amend

OPA 1990 to permit the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund to be used by NOAA, the Coast Guard and other research agencies for prevention of and response to oil spills

Northern California Ocean & Coastal Protection Act (HR 204)

Introduced by Rep Thompson (CA) to permanently prohibit oil and gas drilling off the coast of Medocino, Humboldt and Del Norte Counties in the Outer Continental Shelf

MORE ON THE CONTINUING RESOLUTION

would cut the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) funding by a crippling 29%, which could severely limit their ability to work; cuts deeper into environmental protection than any other form of government

a number of legislative riders have been added onto this bill which read as a polluters wish list, blocking EPA and other agencies from implementing important Clean Water, Clean Air, Endangered Species and other conservation laws.  This CR also goes far to continue to support the oil industry and clear the way for more domestic drilling.

Potential to adversely effect Surfrider’s core campaigns: NTA, KYH2O, Clean Water Campaign

Action alert to Senate sent early next week

Clean Water Initiative

BEACH Act Reauthorization

KNOW YOUR H2O 2010

Green Infrastructure for Clean Water Act Invest in planning and construction of green projects

The Water Protection and Reinvestment Trust Fund Dedicated trust fund for clean water infrastructure

2010 action alerts issued to build co-sponsorship 2011

TBD – likely similar bills

OCEAN ECOSYSTEMS LEGISLATION

Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Research Act of 2009 “Develop and promote a national strategy to address

harmful algal blooms and hypoxia through baseline research, forecasting and monitoring, and mitigation and control.”

o National Endowment for the Oceans (NEO)

-Would secure a dedicated source of funding to conserve ocean resources-Introduced in Senate and House (which was incorporated into the CLEAR Act)

BEACH PRESERVATION Water Resources Development Act (WRDA)

Main funding legislation for coastal projects by Army Corps of Engineers

Includes navigation, flood control, recreation, water supply, etc

Flood Insurance LegislationMonitoring to oppose incentivizing risky behavior

CONNECTING OUR CHAPTERS TO FEDERAL ISSUES

Grassroots Org.Inform MembersGive them a voice

Activating our network!

SURFRIDER FOUNDATION 2011 FEDERAL LEGISLATION

Review: Campaign-Oriented Approach Focus on RAP, NTA, Water Quality, etc Expect to “play defense” in 112th Congress

Keep our Efforts Focused, Aligned & Responsive to Activists Action Alerts ChapterNet Posts

Questions? Resource Needs? Thank you!