I support the expansion of marketing structures that allow water rights transfers to reduce the cost & complexity of transferring water from existing uses and users to those uses that have become more valuable over time. This includes support for federal
grants to states and universities to develop more sophisticated and technical methods of analysis of water needs and uses. These "instruments" should include groundwater and river basin modeling similar to those used for managing the Snake River Aquifer.
Source: Scientists and Engineers for America (SEFORA) questionnaire
Aug 8, 2008
Reduce the threat of global warming
The scientific community has come to the consensus that the Earth is warming largely as a result of emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases from human activities. The consequences of this warming are frequent extreme weather, rising
sea-levels which would flood coastal areas & spread diseases. The only way to address climate change is to significantly reduce emissions of carbon dioxide & other greenhouse gases by using alternative energy sources and increasing our energy efficiency.
Source: Campaign website, www.laroccoforsenate.com, "Issues"
May 14, 2008
Fully fund PILOT program to help timber industry
LaRocco said he supports helping the forest products industry by addressing tax disparities among timber competitors. Current tax laws, he said, encourage some timber companies to change into real estate investment trusts. LaRocco calls for fully funding
the Payments in Lieu of Taxes program, which reimburses state and local governments for federally owned property. He'd push for the reauthorization of federal subsidies to help rural areas affected by cutbacks on timber harvests in national forests.
Source: David Cole, in Lewiston Tribune
May 8, 2008
Regulating 15 more contaminants under Clean Water Act.
LaRocco co-sponsored regulating 15 more contaminants under Clean Water Act
Amends the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) to publish a proposed list of at least 15 contaminants that may occur in public water systems and that are not currently subject to EPA regulation. Provides for proposed lists of at least 12 additional contaminants every four years. (Current law requires EPA to regulate 25 contaminants every three years.) Bases the determination to regulate a contaminant on findings that:
the contaminant is known to occur in public water systems;
the contaminant occurs in concentrations which may have adverse health effects; and
regulation of the contaminant presents an opportunity to reduce health risks.
Source: Safe Drinking Water Act Amendments (H.R.3392) 93-H3392 on Oct 27, 1993
Declare a forest health emergency on federal lands.
LaRocco introduced declaring a forest health emergency on federal lands
National Forest Health Act: To declare that a forest health emergency exists on Federal lands under their jurisdiction; to carry out accelerated forest health improvement programs to prevent further forest damage and reduce the risk of disaster wildfires on these lands; and to implement management strategies designed to produce sustained, diverse, and healthy forest ecosystems on these lands. The Congress finds the following:
Forest health emergencies currently exist on many Federal forest lands that have substantial areas of dead and dying trees as a result of drought, insect infestations, disease, fire, windstorm, or other causes.
There are many complex causes for these forest health emergencies, including historic and recent forest management methods, fire suppression policies, forest-type changes, and climate trends.
When forest health emergencies exist and are allowed to spread, substantial economic losses are sustained, through the loss of timber, watershed quality and performance, recreational opportunities, and fishery and wildlife habitat.
Federal forest lands subject to a forest health emergency, if properly thinned or otherwise treated to reduce unnatural levels of dry fuel, will have a better chance of resisting insect and disease epidemics, as well as being able to tolerate both prescribed fire and occasional wildfires.
The removal of dead, dying, and excess live trees on Federal forest lands subject to a forest health emergency, if done expeditiously and with sensitivity to the need to retain some dead wood to help provide stand structure for multi-resource values, can begin the forest health restoration process
Source: National Forest Health Act (H.R.229) 93-HR229 on Jan 5, 1993
