Congressman Denny Rehberg

August 31, 2004

TWIN BRIDGES, MT - Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg (R), today announced legislation to protect a group of Montana agriculture and municipal water users from a likely disruption in services later this year. Rehberg told a meeting of Montana agriculture officials he has also scheduled a September 9 Congressional hearing on the problem to advance the bill “before year end.”

Long-term (40-year) water use contracts between the Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) and the City of Helena, along with the Helena Valley, Toston, Clark Canyon and East Bench Irrigation Districts will expire at the end of this year. Current law requires the BOR to do an extensive review before new contracts are put in place, but a delay in initiating the renewal process has put the contracts in danger of expiring prior to renewal.

“It’s important we move quickly on this to try avoid needless disruptions in services, especially at a time when a pro-longed drought continues to cause hardships in these areas,” Rehberg, a member of both the House Resources and Agriculture committees, said. “These contracts provide critical water use rights not only to agricultural users in Montana, but also to some municipal users in the Helena area.”

Earlier this year a group of effected water users asked Rehberg to intervene on their behalf. At a meeting in Twin Bridges this afternoon, Rehberg told a gathering of farmers, ranchers, and county officials his legislation will extend their water use contracts at least two years beyond the deadline, or until new long term contracts with the BOR can executed.

“This extension will provide the extra time needed for the federal government to satisfy its requirement to collect the environmental and technical reviews needed before negotiating a new contract,” Rehberg explained. “I’m pleased we were able to schedule a hearing next week to begin moving this important legislation before year end.”

August 19, 2004

WASHINGTON, DC - Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg (R), urged the National Park Service (NPS) to place a high priority on public access and economic impact in implementing a temporary winter use plan for Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks. Today, the park service released the Temporary Use Winter Plans Environmental Assessment, a three-year, interim plan addressing winter use for Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks and the John D. Rockefeller, Jr., Memorial Parkway (JDR) while the NPS develops a long-term winter use plan.
“I’ll continue to work for a winter use plan that takes into account public access and the economic impact on the Parks’ gateway communities. In the meantime, I’m pleased West Yellowstone will at least have the stability of a having a plan in place going into the 2004-2005 winter season,” said Rehberg,

The draft includes five alternatives, ranging from permitting only snow coaches, to allowing from 318 to 950 mostly guided snowmobiles per day, using the Best Available Technology (BAT). The preferred alternative (Alternative #4) allows a total of 720 commercially guided, BAT snowmobiles in the park per day, with 400 coming through the west entrance.

“We’ll take a close look at all alternatives, and review the public comments, but we need to have this accomplished in a timely manner so the local business community can start to secure reservations for the upcoming season,” said Rehberg.

Rehberg helped defeat an amendment in Congress this past June that would have banned snowmobiles in Yellowstone Park by a vote of 224-198. He also formed the West Yellowstone Community Advisory Committee this past February, a coalition of civic and business members dedicated to preserving the economic vitality of the community.

The National Park service will publish a Proposed Rule in the Federal Register and then accept public comment for 30 days. The Final Rule implementing the decision will be published on or about October 29, 2004.

August 13, 2004

WASHINGTON, DC - Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, today announced more than $1.4 million has been awarded to the city of Billings to produce affordable housing and to aid homeless individuals and families. The funds come from a pair of federal grants provided under the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Community Development and Home Investment Partnerships programs.
“I’m delighted to see this important investment in the Billings community, with amounts that will go a long way toward stimulating our local economy, while at the same time providing additional affordable housing for our most vulnerable residents,” Rehberg said.

Funding includes $ 843,000 in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds, which pay for the rehabilitation of affordable housing, and $562,000 in HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME) funding, designed exclusively to produce affordable housing for low-income families.

“Here in Billings, rents and living expenditures keep going up due to rising utility, insurance, and property tax costs,” Rehberg explained. “The impact of these high fixed costs and the lack of affordable housing for low income families and individuals is the reason why I’m also trying to seek additional Section 8 funding for Montana.”

Last week, Rehberg urged a HUD official to restore adequate funding for its Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers program, which helps families gain access to safe and affordable housing by providing voucher assistance to more than 3,500 low income Montana families each year.

“In Montana,” Rehberg warned in a letter to HUD’s director of Housing Voucher Programs, “the result of this inadequate funding of the Section 8 program will be the removal of 250 to 400 hard working families.”

Separate from the voucher program, the funding announced today will provide both new and rehabilitated housing, helping stimulate job growth and business opportunities in the community. CDBG funds are distributed by formula around the country based on a community’s population, income levels, poverty rates and the age of its housing stock. HOME funds represent the largest federal block grant to state and local governments designed exclusively to produce affordable housing for low-income families.

August 11, 2004

WASHINGTON, DC - Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg (R), is urging both the U.S. and Canada to petition the International Joint Commission (IJC) to review British Columbia’s decision to publicly auction coalbed methane leases on August 25. The IJC will step in only if both countries make such a request.

“The date is looming and this may be our last resort,” Rehberg explained. “Gov. Martz last month urged Canada to study the impact of methane drilling before allowing exploratory development so close to the headwaters of the Flathead River, but her common sense request has been ignored.”

In letters faxed to Secretary of State Colin Powell and Canadian Foreign Minister Pierre Pettigrew late Tuesday, Rehberg urged both Canada and the U.S. to petition the IJC to resolve the issue.

“Up to this point, the British Columbian and the Canadian governments have shown no willingness to first conduct an environmental assessment of proposed coalbed natural gas exploration sites in an area of British Columbia neighboring Glacier National Park in Montana,” Rehberg, a member of the House Resources Committee, wrote. “My concern is that the province is forgoing proper environmental protections in an effort to hasten this lease sale.”

The International Joint Commission is an independent binational organization established by the Boundary Waters Treaty of 1909. Its purpose is to help prevent and resolve disputes relating to the use and quality of boundary waters and to advise Canada and the United States on related questions.

“A completed environmental assessment statement will identify the risks, if any, these proposed coal bed methane leases pose to the Flathead and Kootenai watersheds, downstream waters, wildlife, and Montana communities,” Rehberg wrote.

Letters Below:

August 11, 2004
The Honorable Colin Powell
Secretary of State
U.S. State Department
2201 C Street NW
Washington, DC 20520

Dear Secretary Powell:

I write urging you to request the International Joint Commission to review the decision by Canada’s British Columbia Province to publicly auction coalbed methane leases on August 25, 2004.

Up to this point, the British Columbian and the Canadian governments have shown no willingness to first conduct an environmental assessment of proposed coalbed natural gas exploration sites in an area of British Columbia neighboring Glacier National Park in Montana. My concern is that the province is forgoing proper environmental protections in an effort to hasten this lease sale.

A completed environmental assessment statement will identify the risks, if any, these proposed coal bed methane leases pose to the Flathead and Kootenai watersheds, downstream waters, wildlife, and Montana communities.

I therefore request you petition the International Joint Commission to help resolve this issue.

Thank you in advance for your quick response to this request.

Sincerely,

Denny Rehberg
Member of Congress

**************************

August 11, 2004

Honourable Pierre Pettigrew
Minister of Foreign Affairs
Foreign Affairs Canada
125 Sussex Drive
Ottawa, ON, Canada
K1A 0G2

Dear Foreign Minister Pettigrew:

I write urging you to request the International Joint Commission to review the decision by Canada’s British Columbia Province to publicly auction coalbed methane leases on August 25, 2004.

Up to this point, the British Columbian and the Canadian governments have shown no willingness to first conduct an environmental assessment of proposed coalbed natural gas exploration sites in an area of British Columbia neighboring Glacier National Park in Montana. My concern is that the province is forgoing proper environmental protections in an effort to hasten this lease sale.

A completed environmental assessment statement will identify the risks, if any, these proposed coal bed methane leases pose to the Flathead and Kootenai watersheds, downstream waters, wildlife, and Montana communities.

I therefore request you petition the International Joint Commission to help resolve this issue.

Thank you in advance for your quick response to this request.

Sincerely,

Denny Rehberg
Member of Congress

August 11, 2004

BILLINGS, MT - Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg (R), today announced the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has issued Natural Disaster Determinations (NDD) for Carter and Fallon counties. The drought declarations came a week after Rehberg, a member of the House Agriculture Committee, urged U.S. Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman to consider issuing NDD’s for the two counties, in addition to 37 other Montana counties.

“I was delighted to learn of these additional drought declarations by the USDA at a time when so much of Montana remains bone dry and devastated by years of drought, leading to prolonged hardship for our farmers and ranchers,” Rehberg said.

Rehberg, who last month launched a statewide series of drought forums, said producers will welcome the latest Natural Disaster Determinations, with which farmers and ranchers are able to take advantage of programs such as low interest loans and capital gains tax extensions for those forced to liquidate due to the drought.

“Next week (August 19) we’ll conduct our fourth drought forum, in Twin Bridges,” Rehberg, a Billings rancher, said. “With half of the state suffering from extreme drought, many of our producers are struggling to avoid financial ruin. They need answers.”

Rehberg’s statewide series of drought related public forums brings staff specialists and local, state, and federal experts together with local farmers and ranchers for presentations on mitigation and assistance programs available to producers suffering from the prolonged effects of drought in Montana.

“These USDA drought programs have saved many family farms, but more assistance is needed,” Rehberg cautioned.

Rehberg has outlined a drought relief plan, urging Veneman to open Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) acreage for emergency haying and grazing, provide 50/50 hay cost-shares for livestock producers, and allow additional payment deferments on Farm Service Agency (FSA) loans.

Rehberg has introduced legislation that would establish a National Drought Council to develop a National Drought Policy Action Plan, a blueprint aimed at improving federal drought planning and response. In 2002, Rehberg was instrumental in securing $2.3 million in federal drought relief.

August 9, 2004

WASHINGTON, DC - Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg (R), today urged the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to support Montana’s request to increase HUD’s Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers program. In a letter to Deborah Hernandez, Director of HUD’s Office of Housing Voucher Programs, Rehberg asked the agency to restore adequate funding for the program.
“Rents are increasing due to rising utility, insurance, and property tax costs,” Rehberg said in his letter. “The impact of these high fixed costs was not taken into account and subsequently the program was underfunded.”

The program, which helps families gain access to safe and affordable housing, provides voucher assistance to more than 3,500 low income Montana families each year.

“In Montana,” Rehberg warned, “the result of this inadequate funding of the Section 8 program will be the removal of 250 to 400 hard working families.”

Through an appeals process, the Montana Department of Commerce has requested a restoration of the adequate funding.

“It’s not a question of HUD having the money,” explained Rehberg. “When their bean counters looked at the Section 8 program, they underestimated the impact of high energy costs and other basic expenses, and they put money into other programs.”

“Fortunately, there is an appeals process, which the state has initiated, that can be used to get HUD to more adequately fund this important program. I’m urging HUD to support Montana’s request to make up the shortfall,” added Rehberg.

Letter Attached:

August 6, 2004

Ms. Deborah Hernandez

Director of Office of Housing Voucher Programs

Department of Housing and Urban Development

451 7th Street S.W.

Room 4232

Washington, D.C. 20410

Ms. Hernandez;

The Department of Housing and Urban Development Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers Program has been helping families in Montana to have access to safe and affordable housing for many years. This program gives voucher assistance to more than 3,500 very low income families living across Montana.

In Montana, the cost of housing can be difficult for some families to afford. Rents are increasing due to rising utility, insurance, and property tax costs. In fact, utility costs have increased an average of $23.37 this year alone.

In the Housing and Urban Development FY04 budget request for the Housing Choice Vouchers Program, the impact of these high fixed costs was not taken into account and subsequently the program was underfunded. The result of this inadequate funding of the Section 8 program will be the removal of 250 to 400 hard working families from the Section 8 assistance program in Montana beginning as early as October of 2004.

The Montana Department of Commerce Housing Division has requested a restoration of funding from HUD for current rent levels to make up the difference for FY04. I respectfully request your swift and thoughtful consideration of this appeal.

I am very concerned for the hardworking families that face an uncertain future should this program be reduced in Montana. The ramifications of these cuts will be felt throughout Montana’s communities. Please contact my Washington, D.C. office at 202-225-3211 if you have any questions or concerns. Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

Denny Rehberg

Member of Congress

Aug 4, 2004

WASHINGTON, DC - Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg (R), today announced more than $5.7 million in education grants have been awarded to three tribal colleges in Montana. The funds, awarded from the U.S. Department of Education’s Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities program, include a pair of grants totaling $3.1 million to Black feet Community College, a $1.4 million grant to Stone Child College, and a grant of more than $1.2 million to Fort Belknap College.

“I’m pleased to announce these grants, which will help these three Montana tribal colleges improve their ability to open doors of opportunity for Indian students,” Rehberg said. “This Administration has demonstrated a real commitment to the goal of promoting higher education beyond racial boundaries.”

Blackfeet Community College in the Blackfeet Nation in Browning, Mont., has been selected to receive two grants totaling $3.1 million over five years to improve higher education opportunities for Indian students. Blackfeet Community College will use the grants to build an administrative services facility, renovate the student learning center, conduct research, improve student achievement and incorporate cultural content into the curriculum.

Stone Child College on the Rocky Boy’s Indian Reservation near Box Elder, Mont., has been selected to receive a $1,412,080 grant to improve higher education opportunities for Indian students. Stone Child College will use the grant to build a new learning center that will house classrooms, faculty and support services for their teacher education program.

Fort Belknap College on the Fort Belknap Indian Reservation near Harlem, Mont., has been selected to receive $1,287,000 to improve higher education opportunities for Indian students. Fort Belknap College will use the grant to build a campus technology center, which will allow students to take vocational and technical courses and graduate from computer related programs. The new center will include two computer laboratories, two classrooms, a management information systems center and four offices for faculty and staff.

“Montana is home to seven reservations, and blessed with one of the nation’s largest Indian populations,” Rehberg, a member of the House Subcommittee on Native American & Insular Affairs, said. “We have the colleges and the prospective students, which makes these grants all the more special.

August 3, 2004

WASHINGTON, DC - Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg (R), today urged the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to issue Natural Disaster Determinations (NDD) for 21 Montana counties, in addition to the 18 counties identified in a request by Governor Judy Martz. Rehberg, a member of the House Agriculture Committee, made the request in a letter today to U.S. Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman

“Unfortunately, portions of Montana remain extremely dry and are devastated by years of continuous drought, leading to prolonged hardship for our farmers and ranchers,” Rehberg said in today’s letter to Veneman. “I also encourage you to quickly issue NDD’s for the eighteen (18) additional counties Montana Governor Judy Martz submitted to you in two previous requests.”

Rehberg, who last month launched a statewide series of drought forums, said producers across the state have helped him identify 21 counties in need of drought declarations, in addition to the 18 counties for which Gov. Martz requested a drought declaration from USDA.

“Half of the state is suffering from extreme drought, pushing many producers to the brink of financial ruin,” Rehberg, a Billings rancher, explained. “These USDA drought programs have saved many family farms, but more assistance is needed.”

Under a Natural Disaster Determination, farmers and ranchers are able to take advantage of programs such as low interest loans and capital gains tax extensions for those forced to liquidate due to the drought. Rehberg urged Veneman to issue drought disaster determinations for Big Horn, Blaine, Custer, Dawson, Flathead, Glacier, Jefferson, Lake, McCone, Meagher, Mineral, Musselshell, Park, Powell, Roosevelt, Sanders, Sweet Grass, Toole, Treasure, Wibaux, and Yellowstone Counties.

“Recently, I also urged Veneman to open Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) acreage for emergency haying and grazing, provide 50/50 hay cost-shares for livestock producers, and allow additional payment deferments on Farm Service Agency (FSA) loans,” Rehberg said.

Rehberg has introduced legislation that would establish a National Drought Council to develop a National Drought Policy Action Plan, a blueprint aimed at improving federal drought planning and response. In 2002, Rehberg was instrumental in securing $2.3 million in federal drought relief.

August 3, 2004

WASHINGTON, DC - Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg (R), announced today the manufacturer of the grounded Neptune air-tanker planes, Lockheed Martin, has agreed to provide proprietary information needed to complete airworthiness checks on the aircraft. Rehberg made the announcement following a conversation today with U.S. Agriculture Under Secretary Mark Rey, who assured Rehberg that Lockheed officials have agreed to provide the information.
“With Rey’s help, we’re trying to extract a little common sense from the bureaucratic process, and hopefully do everything we can to get these planes back in the air to battle wildfires,” Rehberg said. “The Bush Administration deserves accolades on this. Rey assured me his agency will pay the cost to try and do this quickly.”

Rey told Rehberg the data is needed to complete the air worthiness process for Neptune’s Lockheed P2V aircraft “as a way of eliminating speculation.” Rey also told Rehberg he said spoke with a company official today who pledged to provide the Forest Service with the needed documentation. Rey assured Rehberg he will pursue the matter with Lockheed as quickly as possible, “contract with them if necessary,” and pay the expenses.

“This is good news for all involved. It’s been a long road, but I think we’re finally seeing some light at the end of the tunnel. We have wildfires. We have planes on the ground and Neptune employees sidelined. We’re all anxious to get those employees and those planes back into the fight. Montana can’t afford to wait.