House Natural Resources Committee passes conservation bills supported by Joyce

The House Natural Resources Committee advanced three bipartisan bills on March 12 cosponsored by U.S. Rep. Dave Joyce (R-OH) that seek to improve conservation efforts and environmental research.

The bills were marked up as part of a 12-bill package that advanced through the committee.

“From protecting the Great Lakes to enhancing land-related activities, I will always fight for OH-14 priorities in Congress,” said Rep. Joyce, co-chair of the House Great Lakes Task Force. “Thank you to Chairman Westerman and the Committee for advancing these critical pieces of legislation to not only benefit Ohio, but communities across America.”

The Migratory Birds of the Americas Conservation Enhancements Act, H.R. 4389, would reauthorize for five years the grant program that supports the conservation of neotropical migratory birds in the United States, Canada, Latin America, and the Caribbean. This program provides competitive grants for habitat conservation, research and monitoring, and community outreach and education. Joyce cosponsored the legislation, introduced by lead sponsor U.S. Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar (R-FL), along with U.S. Reps. Vern Buchanan (R-FL), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), and Rick Larsen (D-WA).

The Accelerating Appraisals and Conservation Efforts Act, H.R. 5443, would allow non-federal land appraisers who are appropriately credentialed in one state or territory to perform appraisal and valuation services on the Department of the Interior’s behalf in any state or territory, allowing the agency to complete land transactions of all kinds as effectively and efficiently as possible. Joyce cosponsored the legislation, introduced by lead sponsor U.S. Rep. Susie Lee (D-NV), with U.S. Reps. Andrew Garbarino (R-NY) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA).

The Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Research and Control Amendments Act of 2023, H.R. 6235, would reauthorize the Environmental Protection Agency’s Harmful Algal Blooms and Hypoxia Research Control Amendments program through 2028 to improve monitoring, forecasting, prevention, and mitigation of harmful algal blooms (HABs) and hypoxia in marine and freshwater ecosystems by requiring better coordination among task force agencies, and state and local entities, including Indian tribes. Joyce introduced the legislation with lead sponsor U.S. Rep. Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR).

U.S. Rep. Bruce Westerman (R-AR), chairman of the House Natural Resources Committee, said Rep. Joyce has been a champion of conservation issues in Congress.

“These bills will continue to help his district, constituents, and our nation by advancing our conservation efforts into the future. I want to thank Representative Joyce for his work on these issues, and I look forward to helping him pass these bills into law,” Rep. Westerman said.