Legislative Accomplishments - Safeguarding our Nation's Natural
Heritage
Congresswoman Slaughter is a long-time supporter of protecting our natural
resources. She was inspired to seek elective office after joining with neighbors
in an attempt to save Hart's Woods, a local forest, from development. Ahead of
her time, Congresswoman Slaughter introduced legislation that would have been
the first-ever federal grant program for recycling in 1991. In the past year,
Congresswoman Slaughter secured federal funding to clean up Charlotte Beach and
$2 million to study the water levels of Lake Ontario and examine environmental
impacts over the past 50 years on the lake.
Protecting the Great Lakes
As a member of the Great Lakes Task Force, Congresswoman Slaughter has
actively worked on federal legislation, appropriations, and regulations
affecting the Great Lakes environment.
- Led the Congressional effort to fund the International Joint Commission's
study into the water levels of Lake Ontario; the study will examine past
environmental impacts on Lake Ontario and future trends, such as climate
change, on the water level.
- Testified in front of the International Joint Commission in opposition to
exporting Great Lakes water; also cosponsored legislation to prohibit the
selling of Great Lakes water.
- Cosponsored legislation that would allocate $50 million in federal grants
each year for five years to Great Lakes communities to improve water quality.
- Cosponsored the Great Lakes Ecology Protection Act of 2000, a bill to
reduce the number of non-native species entering the Great Lakes area that are
polluting the water and fouling water intake systems. Sent a letter to
Chairman Boehlert requesting a congressional hearing on this legislation.
- Sent several letters in support of funding for research and cleanup
efforts in the Great Lakes, including the Great Lakes fish and wildlife
restoration program, the soil erosion and sediment control program, and money
to assist municipalities with sewer upgrades.
Enhancing our Local and Regional Natural and Recreational
Resources
Congresswoman Slaughter has successfully pursued her interest in preserving
local historical landmarks and unique natural resources.
- Secured federal funding for local recreational and environmental trails,
including the Canal Greenway, Seaway Trail, and Seneca Trail.
- Cosponsored bill to acquire and preserve 17,500 acres of the Sterling
Forest along the New York - New Jersey border.
- Authored and passed legislation improving the Women's Rights National
Historical Park in Seneca Falls. The five-acre complex includes the Wesleyan
Methodist Chapel, the site of the first Convention on the Rights of Women in
1848; the M'Clintock House, where the Convention's "Declaration of Sentiments"
was written; and the home of Elizabeth Cady Stanton.
- Following the ice storm of March 1991, secured funds for the replanting of
trees in the Rochester area's historic parks to replace the lost resources and
boost the economy in Western New York.
Combating Air Pollution and Global Warming
As a member of the House Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Caucus,
Congresswoman Slaughter has taken a leadership role in promoting alternative
energy sources that promote both economic growth and cleaner air.
- Authored legislation to provide a tax credit to homeowners who wish to
convert their oil heating systems to cleaner natural gas or renewable energy
sources such as solar, wind, and geothermal.
- Cosponsored the Clean Smokestacks Act, a bill to reduce greenhouse gas
emissions as called for in the Rio Convention; opposed an amendment which
prohibits implementation of the Kyoto Treaty and further prevents the U.S.
from discussing further steps toward cleaner air with other countries.
- Cosponsored several bills to reduce acid rain, which has damaged the
Adirondack mountains.
- Sent a letter with several colleagues to President Clinton urging him to
work with Congress to improve fuel efficiency standards for sport utility
vehicles (SUVs), trucks, and cars that are responsible for 20 percent of the
U.S. greenhouse gas emissions.
- Sent a letter to the Environmental Protection Agency to express support
for proposals that reduce NOx emissions, which cause smog.
- In her own office, provides reimbursement to employees who take public
transportation to work instead of driving.
Protecting our National Resources and Heritage
As a member of the Environmental Task Force, Congresswoman Slaughter has
supported existing environmental laws, and pushed for assistance to local
governments, communities, and individuals in their planning and economic
development efforts.
- Cosponsored the Endangered Species Recovery Act, a bill to strengthen the
Endangered Species Act to ensure the recovery of our Nation's declining
biological diversity and to reaffirm this Nation's commitment to protect
wildlife.
- Cosponsored the Public Resources Deficit Reduction Act, a bill to
establish fair market value pricing of federal natural assets, such as
minerals.
- Cosponsored several pieces of legislation to protect wilderness areas in
different states, including cosponsoring the Morris K. Udall Wilderness Act to
designate certain lands in Alaska as wilderness components of the National
Wilderness Preservation System; the Northern Rockies Ecosystem Protection Act
to designate areas in Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, and Wyoming as
wilderness and protected areas; and America's Red Rock Wilderness Act to
designate certain lands in Utah as wilderness.
- Cosponsored the Arctic Refuge Wilderness Bill, which will protect portions
of Alaska's North Slope from drilling. Although more than 90 percent of
Alaska's North Slope is available for drilling, international petroleum
companies are still pushing Congress to open the entire coastal plain of the
Arctic Refuge to oil and gas exploration and development. The wilderness bill
would ensure permanent protection of the ecologically fragile coastal plain of
the Arctic Refuge and its wildlife.
- Cosponsored the Better America Bonds Act, which would issue $9.5 billion
in bond authority to preserve open space, protect water quality and clean up
brownfields.
- Cosponsored the Conservation and Reinvestment Act (CARA), a bill to direct
$3 billion annually be used for the purchase of environmentally sensitive
lands and other conservation programs. CARA would fully fund the Lands Legacy
Initiative, which guarantees permanent funding for the protection of open
space to combat urban and suburban sprawl. The legislation would also
authorize $1 billion for coastal states, including the Great Lakes states, to
mitigate the environmental impacts of offshore oil development. In addition,
the legislation would increase funding for state fish and wildlife programs,
and increase incentives for private landowners to conserve endangered species.
Under this bill, New York State would receive approximately $100 million per
year. Congresswoman Slaughter led the debate on the House floor in support of
CARA.
Encouraging Responsible Environmental Policies
As a member of the powerful Rules Committee, Congresswoman Slaughter has
played an instrumental role in opposing the majority's attempts to weaken strong
environmental initiatives being considered in the House of Representatives.
- Voted against the Private Property Rights Implementation Act. The bill
would allow developers to sue for "takings" directly in federal court,
bypassing state courts. This legislative change would allow big developers to
use the threat of costly federal court litigation as an incentive for small
communities to approve projects that may violate environmental standards.
- Opposed efforts to attach anti-environmental riders to appropriations
bills.
- Opposed legislative efforts to weaken the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water
Act, the Safe Drinking Water Act, the Coastal Zone Management Act, the Federal
Water Pollution Control Act, the Endangered Species Act, and the California
Desert Preservation Act.
- Cosponsored reform of the 1872 Mining Law so that the federal government
receives a fair return from the extraction of minerals on federal land.
- Offered a 1996 floor amendment to exempt federal agency actions
safeguarding drinking water, food safety, and meat and poultry inspection from
the proposed moratorium on new regulations.
(Last updated: September 8, 2000)
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