Rob Bishop

I have been among those calling for reforms in the recognition process. But contrary to what the Assistant Secretary will testify, I called for reforming the procedures, not for relaxing and eliminating the criteria for extending…

Unfortunately, that is a subject for a different day.

The Part 83 procedures--quote--'are not based on standards or guidelines established by Congress, whose power to regulate Indian affairs under Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution has been characterized by the Supreme Court as…

I and others will be listening carefully to the witnesses' opinions on whether this Department has struck the right balance.

Will you commit to pull back Part 83 revisions you submitted to OMB?

Moving forward, improvements to safety and responsible offshore energy development will require the continued involvement of both the private and the public sectors working collaboratively.

Are our concerns not important to you?

Five years since the Macondo spill in the Gulf, there is widespread recognition that a great deal has been accomplished to address safety and environmental issues raised by this tragedy.

It is appropriate to acknowledge the damage that was caused.

I am assuming you support NASA's decision in this regard.

That is a rather damning kind of concern to put in public, isn't it?

Well, let me--oh, good. I am glad you said that because the Army Corps of Engineers recently did a study and they estimated the cost of relocating to Anniston, minus personnel costs, would be approximately $11 million.

I appreciate all our guests being here. I appreciate your testimony.

Not a good answer, but I thank you for the answer.

Why are you still so stubborn about this?

So from what pot of money is that coming?

So since you are going to spend the amount of money one way or the other, why would you actually--why in the world would anyone want to spend that much money for the rails into an antiquated facility when you can actually get a better…

Then how are you going to fund the extra gate, the extra manpower, the extra maintenance equipment? How are you going to fund that?

If we approved a BRAC nothing would change at all.

I have always kept telling you, I want you out of my State of Utah. Just go away and we will all be happy.

So specifically, if there was a plus-up, the areas I would be looking at very quickly is, we are going to go through the NEPA process again.

I appreciate this opportunity of coming here and talking about this issue. My relationship with the Environmental Protection Agency has been infrequent, thankfully, but it has also not necessarily been successful or positive. In an issue…

I am pleased to yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Alabama (Mr. Rogers). {time} 1315

I am proud to yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Calvert) because if anyone can be considered an expert on water issues in the United States, it is the chairman of the Subcommittee on Interior Appropriations, as well as…

I am pleased to yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Oregon (Mr. Walden).