Crapo will Chair AG Subcommittee

CRAPO WILL CHAIR AG SUBCOMMITTEE Named to head Forestry, Conservation & Rural Revitalization panel Washington, DC - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo will bring significant influence to rural legislation and land use matters critical to Idaho as he is again selected as the chairman of the Forestry, Conservation, and Rural Revitalization Subcommittee. That subcommittee is part of the Senate Agriculture Committee, which Crapo joined last Congress. Todayâ??s announcement means Crapo now chairs two Senate subcommittees. He is also chairman of the Fisheries, Wildlife, and Water Subcommittee, a part of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee.The subcommittee assignment means Crapo will guide legislation and schedule Senate hearings relating to rural development and rural electrification issues, as well as farm credit programs. In addition, the subcommittee has jurisdiction over agriculture conservation programs, stream channelization programs, and flood control. The forestry elements deal primarily with Eastern U.S. land areas where lands were donated from states to the federal government. Federal government activity on public lands in the West is often covered by other programs through the U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management.â??The issues of rural development, conservation and forestry are vital to Idahoans, and they fit nicely with the agenda we will consider as part of the Fisheries, Wildlife, and Water subcommittee, including the Endangered Species Act and the Clean Water Act,â?? Crapo said. â??Rural states are too often left out of the equation when federal programs are revamped, and I want to make certain that Idahoâ??s voice is heard when it comes to economic development matters. The issues on both these subcommittees are vitally important to the West. I look forward to ensuring implementation of the many programs we created in the farm bill and promoting legislation that will address the needs of rural Idaho.â??Crapo added he relishes the opportunity to discuss rural development and energy at a time when both issues are critical. "Being able to initiate and schedule Congressional hearings is the first step in changing federal policies. This is the time to focus this debate," he said.In addition, Crapo has also been named to the Agriculture Subcommitteeâ??s Subcommittee on Research, Nutrition, and General Legislation.# # #