Courtesy of ARRA - http://www.arra-access.com/site/PageServer
Legislation Introduced by Representative Collins would Require Public Involvement in Settlement Cases
Please use the Take Action link below to send an email to urge your Representative to cosponsor H.R. 1493, the Sunshine for Regulatory Decrees and Settlements Act of 2013. This legislation would ensure that all stakeholders have an opportunity for input in “sue and settle” cases – before a settlement essentially sets public policy without the usual and customary processes that require the engagement of the public.
Finally, someone in congress with some sense!!!!! PLEASE pass this around, it may very well be crucial to our fight to keep public land public!
*
*
*
Representative Doug Collins (R-GA) introduced legislation, H.R. 1493, to reform the sue and settle problem that has plagued environmental regulations. Sue and settle was defined in a recent report by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Sue and Settle: Regulating Behind Closed Doors: “Sue and settle occurs when an agency intentionally relinquishes its statutory discretion by accepting lawsuits from outside groups that effectively dictate the priorities and duties of the agency through legally binding, court-approved settlements negotiated behind closed doors—with no participation by other affected parties or the public.”
Background:
Sue and settle practices adversely affect motorized recreation. As indicated in the report, the overwhelming majority of instances of sue and settle actions from 2009 to 2012 have occurred in the environmental regulatory context, including suits brought under the Endangered Species Act. In fact the report notes that “…sue and settle cases and other lawsuits are effectively driving the regulatory agenda of the Endangered Species Act program at FWS (Fish and Wildlife Service).” This will necessarily have an impact on the availability of motorized recreation activities as the protection of habitat of endangered species can often lead to closures of motorized opportunities; whether or not such protection is warranted or supported by sound science.
Specifically, H.R 1493 would require agencies to give notice when they receive notices of intent to sue from private parties, afford affected parties an opportunity to intervene prior to the filing of the consent decree or settlement with a court, publish notice of a proposed decree or settlement in the Federal Register, and take (and respond to) public comments at least 60 days prior to the filing of the decree or settlement.
*
*
*
Click on the link above and then under "Action Needed" click on Urge your Representative to Cosponsor Legislation to Limit the Ability of Anti-Access Groups to Sue and Settle and submit a letter of support!
Legislation Introduced by Representative Collins would Require Public Involvement in Settlement Cases
Please use the Take Action link below to send an email to urge your Representative to cosponsor H.R. 1493, the Sunshine for Regulatory Decrees and Settlements Act of 2013. This legislation would ensure that all stakeholders have an opportunity for input in “sue and settle” cases – before a settlement essentially sets public policy without the usual and customary processes that require the engagement of the public.
Finally, someone in congress with some sense!!!!! PLEASE pass this around, it may very well be crucial to our fight to keep public land public!
*
*
*
Representative Doug Collins (R-GA) introduced legislation, H.R. 1493, to reform the sue and settle problem that has plagued environmental regulations. Sue and settle was defined in a recent report by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Sue and Settle: Regulating Behind Closed Doors: “Sue and settle occurs when an agency intentionally relinquishes its statutory discretion by accepting lawsuits from outside groups that effectively dictate the priorities and duties of the agency through legally binding, court-approved settlements negotiated behind closed doors—with no participation by other affected parties or the public.”
Background:
Sue and settle practices adversely affect motorized recreation. As indicated in the report, the overwhelming majority of instances of sue and settle actions from 2009 to 2012 have occurred in the environmental regulatory context, including suits brought under the Endangered Species Act. In fact the report notes that “…sue and settle cases and other lawsuits are effectively driving the regulatory agenda of the Endangered Species Act program at FWS (Fish and Wildlife Service).” This will necessarily have an impact on the availability of motorized recreation activities as the protection of habitat of endangered species can often lead to closures of motorized opportunities; whether or not such protection is warranted or supported by sound science.
Specifically, H.R 1493 would require agencies to give notice when they receive notices of intent to sue from private parties, afford affected parties an opportunity to intervene prior to the filing of the consent decree or settlement with a court, publish notice of a proposed decree or settlement in the Federal Register, and take (and respond to) public comments at least 60 days prior to the filing of the decree or settlement.
*
*
*
Click on the link above and then under "Action Needed" click on Urge your Representative to Cosponsor Legislation to Limit the Ability of Anti-Access Groups to Sue and Settle and submit a letter of support!
