Interior Ends Blueways (VoluntaryWatershed Program) Because GOP Freedumb Property Rights Arrghleblag

[hatrack]

Interior Secretary Sally Jewell this morning said she has stopped a controversial program designed to recognize conservation of valuable watersheds, a move aimed at appeasing Republican critics ahead of a House hearing on the program this afternoon (E&E Daily, July 15).

Jewell this morning told the Natural Resources Committee she has ordered a "pause" on the National Blueways program while she briefs herself on the issues. No new blueway designation will occur "until we figure out the future of the program," Jewell said.

The order, signed in early 2012 by then-Interior Secretary Ken Salazar, intended to draw national attention to watersheds "conserved through diverse stakeholder partnerships." "It's intended to be a bottoms-up community focus to bring recognition to its rivers," Jewell said, noting that it does not envision any new restrictions. But she said she was "responding to community demands" in ordering the pause.

Jewell's statement came minutes after committee Chairman Doc Hastings (R-Wash.) reiterated Republican concerns that the program could infringe on private property rights and state management of water.

EDIT

http://www.eenews.net/stories/1059984569

[pscot]

1. All those apple growers around Wenatchee

are worried about their water shares.