Consolidated Natural Resources Act of 2008

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The Consolidated Natural Resources Act of 2008 (S. 2739) was a bill in the 110th Congress "to authorize certain programs and activities in the Department of the Interior, the Forest Service, and the Department of Energy, to implement further the Act approving the Covenant to Establish a Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands in Political Union with the United States of America, to amend the Compact of Free Association Amendments Act of 2003, and for other purposes." (Official title.)[1]


A bill to authorize certain programs and activities in the Department of the Interior, the Forest Service, and the Department of Energy, to implement further the Act approving the Covenant to Establish a Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands in Political Union with the United States of America, to amend the Compact of Free Association Amendments Act of 2003, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Jeff BingamanCommittees:


Article summary (how summaries work)
  • Establishes a 106,000 acre wilderness preservation known as the "Wild Sky Wilderness" in the state of Washington (Sec. 101).[1]
  • Applies United States immigration laws and immigration-related labor laws to the Northern Mariana Islands (Sec. 702).[1]
  • Establishes a commission to study the possible creation of a National Museum of the American Latino (Sec. 333).[1]
  • Creates the Abraham Lincoln National Heritage Area in Illinois (Sec. 443).[1]
  • Creates the Niagara Falls National Heritage Area in New York (Sec. 423).[1]
  • Provides the Northern Mariana Islands with a non-voting delegate in the United States House of Representatives (Sec. 711).[1]
  • Increases the powers of the Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial Commission, which is charged with establishing a permanent memorial for Former President Eisenhower (Sec. 332).[1]
  • Expands the Minidoka Internment National Monument in Idaho to include the Bainbridge Island Japanese American Memorial site in Baingridge, Washington (Sec. 313).[1]


Contents

Key votes

Before passage, Sen. Tom Coburn (R-Okla.) proposed an amendment "to require the Director of the Office of Management and Budget to determine on an annual basis the quantity of land that is owned by the Federal Government and the cost to taxpayers of the ownership of the land."[2] The amendment failed to pass.

Senate Record Vote (97)
April 10, 2008
On the Amendment (Coburn Amdt. No. 4522 )
On the Amendment
Percentage of 'Aye' votes: 30% - Amendment Rejected
Required percentage of 'Aye' votes: 1/2 (50%)
30
Ayes
63
Nays
 DemRep Other
Ayes3270
Nays42192
Abst.520

Same for all scorecards:

Scored vote

Scorecard: National Journal 2008 Senate Scorecard

Org. position: Nay

Description:

"Require an annual report on federal land ownership. April 10."

(Original scorecard available at: http://www.nationaljournal.com/njmagazine/cs_20090228_4813.php)


The Senate passed the bill by the overwhelming margin of 91-4 on April 10, 2008.

Senate Record Vote (101)
April 10, 2008
On Passage of the Bill (S.2739 )
On Passage of the Bill
Percentage of 'Aye' votes: 91% - Bill Passed
Required percentage of 'Aye' votes: 1/2 (50%)
91
Ayes
4
Nays
 DemRep Other
Ayes48412
Nays040
Abst.230

Same for all scorecards:

Scored vote

Scorecard: League of Conservation Voters 2008 Senate Scorecard

Org. position: Aye

Description:

"The Consolidated Natural Resources Act of 2008 (S. 2739) brought together 62 individual bills concerning lands and activities in over 30 states and the District of Columbia. The omnibus bill included a measure to designate the 106,000 acre Wild Sky Wilderness in Washington state to the National Wilderness Preservation System, added the Eightmile River in Connecticut to the Wild and Scenic River System, and authorized new protections for historic sites, national parks, and precious water resources."

(Original scorecard available at: http://www.lcv.org/2008-pdf.pdf)

The House followed suit and passed the bill on April 29, 2008.

House Record Vote (226)
April 29, 2008
On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass: S 2739 Consolidated Natural Resources Act of 2008
On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass
Percentage of 'Aye' votes: 67% - Passed
Required percentage of 'Aye' votes: 2/3 (66%)
291
Ayes
117
Nays
 DemRep Other
Ayes221700
Nays01170
Abst.12110

Same for all scorecards:

Scored vote

Scorecard: Americans for Democratic Action 2008 House Scorecard

Org. position: Aye

Description:

"Rep. Nick Rahall (D-WV) motion to suspend the rules and pass a bill designating new park, wilderness and scenic areas and authorizing programs and activities in the Forest Service, the Departments of Interior and Energy, the Bureau of Reclamation, the U.S. Geological Survey, and the Bureau of Land Management. It would add 106,000 acres in Washington state to the National Wilderness Preservation System, to be known as the “Wild Sky Wilderness.” It would also apply federal immigration laws to the Northern Mariana Islands and give the commonwealth a nonvoting House delegate."

(Original scorecard available at: http://www.adaction.org/pages/publications/voting-records.php)

Scored vote

Scorecard: League of Conservation Voters 2008 House Scorecard

Org. position: Aye

Description:

"S. 2739, the Consolidated Natural Resources Act of 2008, packaged together 62 individual bills concerning lands and activities in over 30 states and the District of Columbia. The omnibus bill included a measure to designate the 106,000 acre Wild Sky Wilderness in Washington State to the National Wilderness Preservation System, added the Eightmile River in Connecticut to the Wild and Scenic River System, and authorized new protections for historic sites, national parks and precious water resources."

(Original scorecard available at: http://www.lcv.org/2008-pdf.pdf)

Supporters

  • League of Conservation Voters
  • National Parks Conservation Association

Articles and resources

See also

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 Project Vote Smart's info page on Consolidated Natural Resources Act of 2008 (S. 2739).
  2. OpenCongress info page on S. 2739
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