Fascinating and Fast-Paced Federal Legislative Efforts: 2011 Priorities By Angela T. Howe, Esq. February 25, 2011 DIMDIM Staff Presentation

Surfrider Foundation: 2011 Priorities Campaign-Oriented : Surfrider Federal Legislation will follow our Campaign Focus path Top Priority Campaigns : - Rise Above Plastics - Not the Answer Playing Defense: More bad bills may arise in the current Congress (e.g. the current Continuing Resolution)

The Role of Federal Legislation Role is Limited : Surfrider uniquely situated as a non-DC based group with a grassroots ocean- loving constituency Powerful Tool : Issues will bubble up; Voices heard through action alerts; Activists will want to know = DIRECTED, NARROW EFFORT

RISE ABOVE PLASTICS -Marine Debris Prevention and Reduction Act -Up for reauthorization in March -Want to lobby for land-based focus through EPA as well as Derelict Fishing Gear through NOAA - Partners: Clean Water Action, TOC, Garamendi -Plastic Bag Reduction Act -Introduced in April 2009 by Rep. Moran -5 cent fee on all carryout bags; increases to 25 cent fee in Revenue is used for Land and Water Conservation Fund

NOT THE ANSWER: OIL DRILLING LEGISLATION No New Drilling Act (HR 261) Bill by Rep. Frank Pallone (NJ) that bans all new offshore drilling in the U.S. Action Alert launched Jan. 25,2011 West Coast Ocean Protection Act (HR 612) Introduced by Rep. Garamendi (CA) to permanently prohibit the conduct of offshore oil drilling off the West Coast of CA, OR, & WA Big Oil Bailout Prevention Act (HR 295) Rep. Holt (NJ) introduced this bill to amend 1990 OPA to require responsible parties to pay the full costs of offshore oil spills Similar bills in Senate (S.214 and 215) Continuing Resolution threatens to drastically limit the EPA's ability to work with Gulf communities in the aftermath of the BP oil disaster

NOT THE ANSWER: MORE OIL DRILLING LEGISLATION Oil Spill Commission Recommendations Act (HR 501) Bill by Rep. Markey (MA) that provides for National Commission on BP Oil Spill recommendations to be implemented. Includes elements from the oil spill response bill Resources of Oil Spill Research and Prevention (S.204) Introduced by Sen. Begich (AK) to amend OPA 1990 to permit the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund to be used by NOAA, the Coast Guard and other research agencies for prevention of and response to oil spills Northern California Ocean & Coastal Protection Act (HR 204) Introduced by Rep Thompson (CA) to permanently prohibit oil and gas drilling off the coast of Medocino, Humboldt and Del Norte Counties in the Outer Continental Shelf

MORE ON THE CONTINUING RESOLUTION would cut the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) funding by a crippling 29%, which could severely limit their ability to work; cuts deeper into environmental protection than any other form of government a number of legislative riders have been added onto this bill which read as a polluters wish list, blocking EPA and other agencies from implementing important Clean Water, Clean Air, Endangered Species and other conservation laws. This CR also goes far to continue to support the oil industry and clear the way for more domestic drilling. Potential to adversely effect Surfrider’s core campaigns: NTA, KYH2O, Clean Water Campaign Action alert to Senate sent early next week

Clean Water Initiative BEACH Act Reauthorization

KNOW YOUR H2O 2010 Green Infrastructure for Clean Water Act Invest in planning and construction of green projects The Water Protection and Reinvestment Trust Fund Dedicated trust fund for clean water infrastructure 2010 action alerts issued to build co-sponsorship 2011 TBD – likely similar bills

OCEAN ECOSYSTEMS LEGISLATION Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Research Act of 2009 “Develop and promote a national strategy to address harmful algal blooms and hypoxia through baseline research, forecasting and monitoring, and mitigation and control.” o National Endowment for the Oceans (NEO) -Would secure a dedicated source of funding to conserve ocean resources -Introduced in Senate and House (which was incorporated into the CLEAR Act)

BEACH PRESERVATION Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) Main funding legislation for coastal projects by Army Corps of Engineers Includes navigation, flood control, recreation, water supply, etc Flood Insurance Legislation Monitoring to oppose incentivizing risky behavior

C ONNECTING OUR C HAPTERS TO F EDERAL I SSUES Grassroots Org. Inform Members Give them a voice Activating our network!

SURFRIDER FOUNDATION 2011 FEDERAL LEGISLATION Review: Campaign-Oriented Approach Focus on RAP, NTA, Water Quality, etc Expect to “play defense” in 112 th Congress Keep our Efforts Focused, Aligned & Responsive to Activists Action Alerts ChapterNet Posts Questions? Resource Needs? Thank you!