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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Fritz the Cat" data-source="post: 320781" data-attributes="member: 605">On February 23rd the Senate held confirmation Hearing's on Biden's pick for Secretary of the Department of the Interior. Debra Haaland.Usually in the process the answers are vague. But look at the questions, wowzer,<a href="https://www.energy.senate.gov/services/files/AA15BE63-253D-43D4-9DAC-0C2D99B1C5E1" target="_blank">https://www.energy.senate.gov/services/files/AA15BE63-253D-43D4-9DAC-0C2D99B1C5E1</a>Senator John Barrasso Wyoming had some interesting questions:Question 24: The Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA) made the $900 million in annual deposits in the Landand Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) available as mandatory spending. Nearly all of the revenue is derivedfrom oil and gas leasing offshore. The mandatory appropriations are available for the purposes of the fund,including accounts and programs funded under the FY2020 appropriations law. Purposes include outdoorrecreation grants to states, federal land acquisition, and others (e.g., the Cooperative Endangered SpeciesConservation Fund, administered by FWS). GAOA sets out a procedure for the President to allocate LWCFfunding and an “alternate” procedure for Congress to make allocations. If Congress does not enact an alternateallocation by the date of enactment of full-year appropriations for Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies,the President is to allocate amounts.a. If confirmed, how would you advise the President to allocate LWCF mandatory funding among federalland acquisition, outdoor recreation grants to states, and other purposes and programs?b. If you are confirmed, what processes and criteria will DOI use to prioritize funding among the manypotential acquisitions for each agency? Will the agencies collaborate in identifying acquisitions of typesof resources or in geographic areas? Would any collaboration extend to the Forest Service, which alsotypically receives appropriations for acquisitions?c. A few weeks ago, Acting Secretary de la Vega rescinded former Secretary Bernhardt’s instruction thatany federal acquisitions made using LWCF funds be supported by local communities and theirstakeholders. LWCF was not intended to be a unilateral tool to increase the federal estate, it wasintended to be a tool to benefit the American public. If confirmed, would you commit to ensuring localcommunities and local governments supported any acquisition made by LWCF – before the acquisitiontook place?d. If confirmed, will you commit to the strong coordination and collaboration with, as well as the frequentand sustained consultation of, state and local officials during any Federal land acquisition initiatives?e. Under your leadership, what kinds of lands would DOI prioritize for LWCF acquisition?f. Would you be supportive of using some of the federal LWCF dollars to address key deferredmaintenance needs and issues?g. The federal land acquisition process requires lengthy and complex procedures and numerous steps,ranging from federal appraisal reviews and environmental site assessments. How will you ensure thatvarious DOI agencies work seamlessly to minimize these lengthy and complicated factors that impactwilling sellers and non-federal entities?h. In your view, will the mandatory funds in GAOA be sufficient, excessive, or too little for theAdministration’s goals? If you are confirmed as Secretary, will DOI seek additional discretionary fundsfor programs and purposes generally funded by the LWCF?i. How many acres of land have DOI agencies purchased with LWCF funds to date? Where are these landslocated? How will the amounts and locations change with the new mandatory funds? To what extent will DOI agencies use the funding to acquire permanent and temporary easements and other interests in land(rather than full ownership)? Debra Haalands RESPONSE: As I testified, I look forward to implementing the Great American Outdoors Act asCongress intended, with the balance that Congress established for resources for both LWCF and publiclands maintenance. I believe conservation works best with local involvement and that LWCF has been abipartisan success. In terms of land acquisition, I look forward to learning more about the factors raisedin this question, but I do believe that increasing access and conserving priority habitat are two importantpurposes of the LWCF. When it comes to funding questions, I am not currently in the administration, soI am not involved in the development of the Fiscal Year 2022 budget request. If confirmed, I will considerwhether additional resources may be necessary or beneficial to either LWCF or deferred maintenanceand work with Congress on funding issues as appropriate.North Dakota Sen. John Hoeven asked:Question 11: We must make sure that local landowners continue to have a say in Federal land acquiredthrough the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF). I was disappointed to see the Biden administration’sefforts to remove state and local oversight of land acquisitions within their borders, and have concerns that thispolicy change will lead to the federal government acquiring land and water resources without adequate localconsultation. If confirmed, how will you ensure that communities who are most impacted by federal landacquisition have a voice in the process?Debra Haalands RESPONSE: The Land and Water Conservation Fund is an important conservation tool, including forincreasing access for hunters and anglers, and I am excited about the funds that Congress has providedfor this program. I believe that local stakeholder collaboration is the best approach for conservation. Ifconfirmed, I will make sure the Department will listen to local stakeholders, including you and yourstate’s leadership, about specific project proposals.</blockquote>

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