Texas -

The Texas Wildlife Association continues to voice its concerns over provisions in bills in Congress relating to climate change and the Clean Water Act.

The American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009 (HR 2454), otherwise known as the "climate change bill," was approved by the U.S. House of Representatives on June 26 by a vote of 219-212. TWA is concerned if the bill becomes law, it could significantly increase the costs of fuel, electricity, feed, equipment and other production costs for Texas landowners and consumers.

U.S. Senate leaders indicate they will take up the bill later this year.

The U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works Committee approved the Clean Water Restoration Act of 2009 (S. 787) in late June.

TWA is concerned that the bill, if passed into law, expands federal authority by removing the word "navigable" from the current Clean Water Act definition of waters of the U.S. The new definition would expand the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Army Corps of Engineers regulatory control over all wet areas within a state, including stock tanks, drainage ditches, ponds, small and intermittent streams, creek beds, playa lakes and mud holes.

It is uncertain when the measure will go to the full U.S. Senate for a vote. U.S. Sen. Mike Crapo of Idaho has placed a hold on the bill, which means supporters will need to convince 60 U.S. Senators to vote in favor of allowing the bill to come to the floor for consideration.

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