George Nethercutt on Environment

Former Republican Rep (WA-5); 2004 former Senate challenger

Balance essential between environment and economy

I believe we must control and limit wherever possible the negative impact of industrial progress on our environment. Though environmental concerns are often at odds with economic progress, the resources needed to care for the environment can only come from a dynamic and healthy economy. I will continue to support legislation to protect the environment but that will not devastate the economy. It is important that we work for that proper balance. Source: House website, www.house.gov/nethercutt Feb 26, 2004

Need additional funding to protect endangered salmon

Nethercutt was on hand as the Bush Administration announced that it will request an additional $10 million to help protect endangered salmon. Nethercutt, who wrote the Administration earlier this month to request increased funding for salmon recovery, said it will help bolster record gains made in recovering the endangered fish. "I think the weight of the Administration behind this request will help us build on the success of this program," Nethercutt said Source: House website, www.house.gov/nethercutt Jan 26, 2004

Fight ecoterrorism: prison for violence against researchers

Nethercutt detailed his plans for a legal assault on ecoterrorism, including mandatory prison sentences for violence against environmental and life-sciences research. "These environmental terror groups are getting more aggressive and I think we need a strong response," Nethercutt said. "The three largest organizations, including the Earth Liberation Front, have launched an all-out assault against researchers and scientists in the environmental field, using bombs and other terrorist-style tactics." Source: United Press International, newsmax.com Jun 14, 2001

Voted YES on speeding up approval of forest thinning projects.

Vote to adopt the conference report on the bill that would reduce and expedite (speed up) environmental and judicial reviews of forest thinning projects. The bill would authorize $760 million a year from fiscal 2004 to fiscal 2008. The Bureau of Land Management and the US Forest Service would have the authorization to remove vegetation that could cause or assist the spread of wildfires, disease or insect infestation. All forest thinning project would come after public meetings had been held. Forest thinning would be restricted to land that is within a 1.5 miles of at-risk communities , high-risk land that serves as a home for threatened and endangered species, high-risk land in the area of municipal water sources and and high-risk land that is specifically susceptible to disease or insect infestation. Reference: Healthy Forests Restoration Act; Bill HR 1904 ; vote number 2003-656 on Nov 21, 2003

Supports grants for brownfields remediation.

Nethercutt adopted the Republican Main Street Partnership agenda item:

H.R. 2941 Brownfields Redevelopment Enhancement Act.
Republican Main Street Partnership Congresswomen Marge Roukema (NJ), Sue Kelly (NY), and Melissa Hart (PA) as well as Congressman Paul Gillmor (PA) have introduced legislation providing a new source of funding for improving former industrial sites. H.R. 2941 reauthorizes the Brownfields Remediation Grant Program as well as creating a new loan program for brownfields redevelopment. The pilot program encourages cities to tap private loans for civic improvements by using the federal grants as collateral. The bill allows for Community Development Block Grants to be used in industrial site clean up as well.

Source: Republican Main Street Partnership Legislative Agenda 02-RMSP2 on May 24, 2002

Make EPA into a Cabinet department.

Nethercutt adopted the Republican Main Street Partnership agenda item:

H.R. 2438/H.R. 2694 Department of Environmental Protection Act.
Republican Main Street Partnership members Sherwood Boehlert (NY) and Steve Horn (CA) each have introduced legislation that would elevate the position of Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to that of cabinet level. Initially, the EPA served as a regulatory agency, but as a result of numerous statutes enacted by Congress, the agency's jurisdiction has swelled. Each bill would redesignate the EPA as the Department of Environmental Protection. RMSP supports the efforts of Congressman Vern Ehlers to include a deputy administrator for science within the department.

Source: Republican Main Street Partnership Legislative Agenda 02-RMSP3 on May 24, 2002

Rated 5% by the LCV, indicating anti-environment votes.

Nethercutt scores 5% by the LCV on environmental issues

The League of Conservation Voters (LCV) is the political voice of the national environmental movement and the only organization devoted full-time to shaping a pro-environment Congress and White House. We run tough and effective campaigns to defeat anti-environment candidates, and support those leaders who stand up for a clean, healthy future for America. Through our National Environmental Scorecard and Presidential Report Card we hold Congress and the Administration accountable for their actions on the environment. Through regional offices, we build coalitions, promote grassroots power, and train the next generation of environmental leaders. The 2003 National Environmental Scorecard provides objective, factual information about the environmental voting records of all Members of the first session of the 108th Congress. This Scorecard represents the consensus of experts from 20 respected environmental and conservation organizations who selected the key votes on which Members of Congress should be graded. LCV scores votes on the most important issues of the year, including environmental health and safety protections, resource conservation, and spending for environmental programs. Scores are calculated by dividing the number of pro-environment votes by the total number of votes scored. The votes included in this Scorecard presented Members of Congress with a real choice on protecting the environment and help distinguish which legislators are working for environmental protection. Except in rare circumstances, the Scorecard excludes consensus action on the environment and issues on which no recorded votes occurred.

Source: LCV website 03n-LCV on Dec 31, 2003

Focus on results, not regulation.

Nethercutt adopted the Republican Main Street Partnership issue stance:

Legislatively provide the EPA with a clear mission statement
Simplify environmental reporting requirements to focus on results, not regulations
Establish environmental improvement pilot programs at the state level
Devote increased resources to researching the causes and effects of global warming
Better understand -- and begin addressing -- the causes of and remedies to global warming

Source: Republican Main Street Partnership Issue Paper: Environment 98-RMSP1 on Sep 9, 1998

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