Family Farm Alliance to appear before NEPA Task Force April 23, 2005

Testimony by William Kennedy, Chairman of the Board of Family Farm Alliance, to NEPA posted to KBC 4/23/05

The Family Farm Alliance will participate in an important field hearing tomorrow in Spokane, Washington before the House Resources Committee’s newly formed Task Force on Improving the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). Rep. Cathy McMorris (R-WA), the newly appointed chairwoman of the Task Force, was asked to lead the bipartisan panel of House Resources Committee members around the country to gather input on the implementation of NEPA. The Task Force will primarily examine whether the original intent of NEPA is being fulfilled. Its will also seek input on the economic impacts NEPA is currently having. This is the first in a series of hearings intended to explore whether the original intent of NEPA is being fulfilled and what economic effects NEPA has in each of six regions where the task force plans hearings.

What:               NEPA Task Force

When:              10:00 am, Saturday, April 23, 2005

Where:             Phase I Building Auditorium
                        Washington State University
                        668 N. Riverpoint Boulevard
                        Spokane, WA 99210

Alliance Chairman of the Board Bill Kennedy of Klamath Falls, Oregon is one of twelve individuals (see attached witness list) who will testify on two panels at Saturday’s hearing in Spokane. Kennedy’s testimony (attached) will focus on the 2001 curtailment of water supplies to Klamath Project irrigators, where water users believe NEPA was not properly addressed by federal agencies. He will also provide specific recommendations to the Task Force to streamline regulatory processes that have delayed or smothered projects opposed by some certain activist groups. 

If you have any questions about the Alliance’s involvement with this hearing, please do not hesitate to contact our office at (541)-850-9007.

 Dan Keppen