AFFTA Legislative Update

Overview

            The Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill has supplanted all other environmental issues on the national stage.  Major environmental initiatives, outside of Gulf of Mexico restoration measures, will likely be pushed off until after the election including Climate Change legislation and Clean Water Act amendments focused on wetlands and headwater stream protection.  The Gulf Oil Spill may provide new impetus to collect additional revenues from energy production for wetlands and fisheries restoration and historically underfunded conservation programs.  However, Congressional discussions are just beginning on how to address the long-term environmental impacts of the Gulf Oil Spill and the impacts of Deep Water Oil Production.

            There may be opportunities to move two small legislative measures of importance to
AFFTA, reduction of the tariffs on rubber soled waders and wading shoes and the passage of the Tarpon Conservation Act.   Both these measures have the potential to attract broad bipartisan support and make eminent environmental sense. 

Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill

            Congress may assemble a Gulf of Mexico Restoration Package that will focus on restoring the coastal wetlands and fisheries impacted by the Gulf Spill.  This measure would likely include short term funding for clean up as well as long term funding for critical habitat.  Many fisheries and fish species important to fly fisherman, including Redfish, Tarpon and Permit could be severely damaged by the Oil Spill.    This legislation would likely begin moving through Congress before the July 4^th Recess.

Miscellaneous Tariff Bills – Rubber Soled Wading Boots

            AFFTA is quietly working with Congress to explore “harmonized tariff schedule updates” for Rubber Soled Men’s Wading Boots.  Felt soled waders have been identified as a major vehicle for the transport of “rock snot” and our industry has led efforts to move away from these soles.  Unfortunately, the current Tariff structure provides favorable treatment of felt soled wading boots over rubber soled boots.   AFFTA Members and others in the outdoor industry have expressed their support for reducing the tariff’s rubber soled wading boots and we are now taking our request to Members of the House Ways and Means Committee and the Senate Finance Committee.

Climate Change Legislation

            All action on Climate Change has shifted to the United States Senate.   In late April, Senators Kerry and Lieberman released a 978 page draft Climate Bill – the American Power Act.   This legislation seeks to reduce carbon pollution by 17 % by 2020 and 80% by 2050.   Though Senators Kerry and Lieberman worked closely with Republican Senators and industry in the development of the American Power Act, this draft legislation currently lacks the support of any Senate Republican and most policy analysts see no scenario where this measure could be enacted into law before the November election.  Unfortunately, the American Power Act provides less funding for habitat adaptation, fish habitat improvement than a similar Climate Bill, the American Clean Energy and Security approved by the House of Representatives last year.  AFFTA and the Conservation Community are working to significantly improve the adaptation provisions in the American Power Act.

Clean Water Funding

            Action on Clean Water Funding is now in the United States Senate.   Republican and Democratic Leadership are considering the possibility of bringing the $38 B Water Infrastructure financing Act to the Senate Floor before the August Recess.   This measure would authorize significant new resources for upgrading wastewater treatment facilities and controlling nonpoint sources of water pollution – both critical to improving water quality and fishing in our nation.  

Tarpon Conservation Act

            The Ranking Republican on the House Fisheries Subcommittee and the Democratic Majority Whip are poised to introduce the Tarpon Conservation Act later this month.  This legislation, developed with input from the Bonefish and Tarpon Trust, the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation, and the Coastal Conservation Association would provide new resources for studying the lifecycle of Tarpon and provide greater incentives for the “catch-and-release” of Tarpon both in US and International Waters.  This legislation enjoys the strong support of AFFTA,