2019 Interior and Environment Appropriations Bill passes House
On June 20, the House passed the 2019 Interior and Environment Appropriations bill, which included several of Rep. Chris Stewart’s provisions.
This bill included Rep. Stewart’s bipartisan amendment to address the alleged overpopulation of wild horses. This amendment will give the Bureau of Land Management legislative authority and a $15 million increase to “manage” horse populations.
It encourages the BLM to work with the state of Utah through the Watershed Restoration Initiative to develop water resources to benefit the public, wildlife, endangered species, permittees, and other users.
Stewart fought for a $35 million increase for the Payments in Lieu of Taxes Program. The program provides compensation to local governments for the loss of tax revenue resulting from the presence of federal land in their county or state. Two thirds of Utah is owned by the federal government.
Stewart added provisions addressing forest devastation caused by the bark beetle. In total, the bill funds wildland firefighting and prevention programs at $3.9 billion, fully funding the 10-year average for wildland fire suppression costs for both the Department of the Interior and the Forest Service, and providing $500 million for Forest Service suppression operations. The legislation also includes $655 million for hazardous fuels management, which is $30 million above the fiscal year 2018 level.
The Interior and Environment Appropriation Bill will also prevent of hunting, fishing, and recreational shooting closures on federal lands; repeals the Obama Administration’s Waters of the U.S. Rule; and delist gray wolves range-wide.
