Cramer Amendment Passes: Removes USFWS Authority Over Non-federal Oil and Gas Rights

Press Release

An amendment introduced by Congressman Kevin Cramer prohibiting implementation of a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) regulation passed the House of Representatives on a voice vote around midnight.

In February 2014, USFWS issued an advance notice of proposed rulemaking for the "management of Non-Federal Oil and Gas Rights" rule, posted it Dec. 11, 2015, and closed comments Feb. 9 of this year, for the first time empowering itself with the authority to permit oil and gas development on federal refuges without federal ownership of the underlying mineral interests. USFWS, in part, cited the need to update existing rules to best protect society from the potential impacts of oil and gas development on wildlife refuges.

The Cramer Amendment ensures no funds are provided to finalize or implement the proposed rule. Cramer took his amendment to the floor of the House late last night during debate of the Department of Interior, Environment and Related Appropriations Act of 2017.

"Not only do state regulators have the authority and expertise to regulate non-federal minerals, they have the most obvious incentive to do it well. After all, they live where the minerals are being produced," said Cramer, "The USFWS does not have the personnel or expertise to regulate oil and gas operations and its concerns are already being addressed by the appropriate regulatory bodies."

The final vote on the entire Interior, Environment and Related Agencies Appropriations Act is expected by the end of the week.

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