"EPA's preemptive use of Clean Water Act section 404(c) are unprecedented"

It ain't over until the fat lady sings.

Serial douche bag Representative Darrel Issa is calling for an investigation into the EPA and the Pebble Mine

"EPA's actions regarding the preemptive use of Clean Water Act section 404(c) are unprecedented and appear to rest upon an evaluation written with a predetermined conclusion of invoking a preemptive 404(c) veto of the Pebble Project," said Issa, along with Energy Policy, Health Care and Entitlements Subcommittee Chairman James Lankford, R-Okla., and Economic Growth, Job Creation and Regulatory Affairs Subcommittee Chairman Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, in a letter.

LINK (via:The Washington Examiner)

Harmful water grab bill passes House, fight continues

The House of Representatives voted today to approve a bill that could dry up countless stretches of rivers and harm river restoration efforts nationwide. H.R. 3189 – the so-called “Water Rights Protection Act” – passed by a 238-174 vote.

This bill is terrible news for rivers nationwide. It puts the interests of the oil and gas industry, corporate agriculture, and other private interests over the health of our rivers, fish and wildlife, and the millions of Americans who fish, boat, and enjoy river recreation.

LINK (via: American Rivers)

Anti-Pebble Ads Praising Begich Raise Eyebrows

Political ads touting Senator Begich's statements against Pebble appear to have been last summer or fall, months before his position was public.

Not sure why anyone would try to make a big deal out of this but given the stakes involved I guess everyone is looking to score public relations points wherever possible.

LINK (via:KDLG)

Meanwhile .....

Several members of the Alaska Legislature sent a letter of support earlier this month to the head of the company looking at developing the controversial Pebble Mine in the Bristol Bay region. The letter was signed by 8 lawmakers including the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House.

All of the lawmakers are Republicans.

IGWTFA

Now I'm assuming the IGFA gave Louisiana Senator David Vitter and Florida US Representative David Miller a 2013 Conservation Award based on their sponsorship of the Billfish Conservation Act? Unfortunately Vitter and Miller's entire record when it comes to important environmental issues is pathetic and detrimental to fish and fisheries.

Vitter is a vocal proponent of the Pebble Mine, Keystone XL, and has consistently voted against clean air and water. According to the League of Conservation Voters, Vitter's lifetime score of voting for the environment is a paltry 4%.

Miller scores slightly better with a lifetime score of 9% but he has also cast numerous votes to the detriment of environmental issues that directly impact fish and habitat.

After hitting their respective links you can filter their voting records by specific issues, sorting by "water" will show you how extreme these two are when it comes to not protecting the environment. Miller even voted to block the EPA from implementing new water quality standards to prevent toxic green slime from polluting his home state of Florida's lakes, rivers, and streams.

Given their respective records it's an insult to the true champions of conservation that the IGFA gave an award to these clowns.

Oh Joy

“I’m excited to help shine a light on all the great American sportsmen and women in the country who live the outdoors lifestyle,” Palin said in the statement. “Sportsman Channel is the leader in their industry and I am thrilled to be partnering with them on this show.”

LINK

Vote for Carp!

A 20-pound carp has launched a write-in campaign for Ann Arbor City Council.

LINK (via: MLive)