
Shelley Capito
20:36 - 21:20
"I would remiss not to mention the recent decision out of the D.C. District Court that invalidated the 2020 programmatic biological opinion issued by the service for the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation Enforcement's mining regulation program. This decision will negatively impact coal production in the 24 states that have primacy That includes my state. I'm extremely disappointed by this court decision and very concerned about what it will mean for projects in my state moving forward."
“I would remiss not to mention the recent decision out of the D.C. District Court that invalidated the 2020 programmatic biological opinion issued by the service for the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation Enforcement's mining regulation program. This decision will negatively impact coal production in the 24 states that have primacy That includes my state. I'm extremely disappointed by this court decision and very concerned about what it will mean for projects in my state moving forward.”
Last week, your team briefed my staff on this rule, and I appreciate how quickly your team prepared and provided this information, so thank you. I appreciate the balance that you and your team struck in that final rule. I would remiss not to mention the recent decision out of the D.C. District Court that invalidated the 2020 programmatic biological opinion issued by the service for the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation Enforcement's mining regulation program. This decision will negatively impact coal production in the 24 states that have primacy That includes my state. I'm extremely disappointed by this court decision and very concerned about what it will mean for projects in my state moving forward.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service proposed the largest expansion of hunting and fishing access in agency history in May, opening or expanding more than 1,450 opportunities across 32 states including Alaska's National Wildlife Refuges. Director Brian Nesvik told the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee Wednesday the proposal reflects the Trump administration's commitment to American hunters and anglers.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has lost roughly **1,800 employees**, about a quarter of its workforce, including **530 biologists** and over 100 regional senior staff. Director Brian Nesvik told the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee Wednesday that some refuges now have no staff working on the ground, though he said that does not necessarily mean they are closed to public use.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service asked Congress Wednesday for $5.1 million to speed up endangered species consultations for energy projects from 30 to 14 days, directly affecting Alaska oil, gas, and mining permit timelines.
