H.R. 3017: Brownfields Enhancement, Economic Redevelopment, and Reauthorization Act of 2017

This was a vote to pass H.R. 3017 in the House.

H.R. 3017 represented an effort to reauthorize the funding and authorizations for the expiring law that paid for redevelopment of brownfield sites. The original Brownfields Revitalization Act was signed into law by President George W. Bush in 2002. Brownfields refer to land previously used for industrial or commercial operations that contains contaminated soil from hazardous wastes. The law amended the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act, also known as CERCLA or the Superfund. It provided funds to assess and clean up brownfields, clarified CERCLA liability protections and set aside money to enhance state and tribal contamination response programs. The Brownfields law is intended to complement other laws and regulations that set standards for soil cleanup and reuse through financial incentives and regulations. A recent example of the cleanup authorized by the Brownfields Reauthorization Act was the Spokane, Wash., Riverfront Park. The park was built more than 40 years ago on land that had been contaminated by railroads. This year, the Environmental Protection Agency authorized $600,000 from Brownfields Revitalization Act funds to clean up the park’s soil.

Passed.

 H.R. 4182: EQUALS Act of 2017

This was a vote to pass H.R. 4182 in the House.

H.R. 4182 extends the probationary period for federal government supervisors and managers from one year to two years after they complete training and licensing. The bill also extends the probationary period for Senior Executive Service career appointments from one year to two years. In addition, agencies would be required to notify supervisors 30 days before the scheduled completion of a probationary period and certify the successful completion of a probationary period. The bill also limits the rights of employees in the competitive service to challenge disciplinary job action. All provisions of the legislation would take effect one year after enactment and would apply only to employees whose service begins after the bill takes effect.

Passed.

H.R. 3905: Minnesota’s Economic Rights in the Superior National Forest Act

This was a vote to pass H.R. 3905 in the House.

H.R. 3905 overturned the Obama administration’s decision to temporarily ban mining in northern Minnesota’s Superior National Forest. Nearly all Republicans voted for it while nearly all Democrats voted against it, giving the bill a narrow 216-to-204 margin for passage. Colorado Rep. Doug Lamborn, chairman of the House Natural Resources subcommittee that promoted the legislation, said the bill overrides an arbitrary decision by the Obama administration that prevented Minnesota from benefitting from mineral extraction in the forest. The Minnesota’s Economic Rights in the Superior National Forest Act also is known as the MINER Act. The Obama administration instituted the mining ban to protect the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness within the forest from mine waste output. Republicans said the MINER Act could create 10,000 jobs and billions of dollars of revenue.

Passed.

H.R. 3115: Superior National Forest Land Exchange Act of 2017

This was a vote to pass H.R. 3115 in the House.

The Superior National Forest Land Exchange Act completes a land exchange in Northern Minnesota between the U.S. Forest Service and the mining company PolyMet Mining. The exchange will allow PolyMet to proceed with a copper-nickel mine project. Supporters of the bill said it would generate hundreds of mining jobs and increase tourism in the Superior National Forest. The bill was written by Rep. Rick Nolan, D-Minn., who said in a statement after the bill passed, “This bill is a win for taxpayers, for the environment and for good paying jobs. The public will gain access to 2,000 acres of beautiful wetlands, lakeshore and wild rice waters, while PolyMet receives a smaller area bordered by existing mining operations and infrastructure that it already owns the mineral rights to. If the land exchange – which has already been approved by the Obama Administration’s Forest Service – becomes law, it would mark an important step toward providing our nation the precious metals it requires to meet growing demands in defense, manufacturing, health care, environmental green technologies and medical research.” Nolan said the bill would switch 6,690 acres of private land owned by PolyMet to public property, granting visitors and tribal members access to recreational areas, timber resources, wild rice waters at Hay Lake and 2,000 acres of wetlands. In exchange, PolyMet would get 6,650 acres of mining land.

Passed.

H.R. 2768: Fowler and Boskoff Peaks Designation Act

This was a vote to pass H.R. 2768 in the House.

This bill would name two 13,000-foot peaks near Telluride for well-known mountaineers Charlie Fowler and Christine Boskoff. The couple from Norwood were killed in 2006 while climbing Mount Genyen in Tibet when an avalanche swept them away. The bill had strong support from Colorado U.S. Rep. Scott Tipton, R-Cortez, as well as both of the state’s U.S. senators. They introduced it as a bill on May 25 after hearing from Fowler and Boskoff’s supporters among the Telluride Mountain Club, Telluride Ski and Golf and county commissioners from Dolores and San Miguel counties. Colorado U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet said in a statement, “Not only were Charlie and Christine two of the most accomplished climbers in the world but they also were integral members of our southwest Colorado community. Throughout their careers, they were always giving back, mentoring students, advocating for human rights and introducing people to their love of climbing. Naming these peaks in their honor will give them a permanent place in the outdoors and serve as a fitting reminder of their extraordinary lives.”

Passed.

Source: GovTrack