The problem is drought, and the problem is currently being suffered by some 70 million people across the Western United States, including many in my district. Reservoirs, creeks, springs, and wells are going dry, leaving fish, people…

It is important that Congress exercise its oversight authorities on the executive branch.

Do those who support this bill understand the extent, not necessarily oceans-linked, of this bill's impact?

Will these new requirements cause delay in activities adjacent to such waterways such as construction of needed bridges, roads, wind energy projects, and other infrastructure?

I hope that this or that hearing is not the only thing Congress will do regarding this drought because it is only getting worse.

Will this bill address and help our Nation also face one of the major challenges with us today, that being the greatest drought in modern day history?

I thank Congressman LaMalfa for his years of work on the extraordinary problems in the Klamath. Let me, again, by talking briefly about drought and what it means. I select this as a starting place because many out here in the East have the…

I think the bottom line for me is that family forest landowners really care deeply about their land.

We want to make sure that whatever new rules get written coming out of Congress don't throw those people under the bus.

Stewardship is a natural part of that ethic. We don't live long enough to see the fruit of our labors.

The renewable energy component allows these lower value woods to find the market.

Thank you, Chairman Baca, Ranking Member Fortenberry, and Members of the Committee.

Forests have a huge impact in purifying the water.