Senate Hearing Features Gov. Otter, Sacketts

Washington, D.C.  - Members of the U.S. Senate will hear directly tomorrow from Westerners on federal policies that impact their livelihoods and their personal and property rights.  The Western Caucus hearing is entitled "Washington Obstacles to Prosperity and Property Rights in the West."  It will be chaired by Idaho Senator Mike Crapo.  Idaho Senator Jim Risch will also provide remarks and questions. 

Special witnesses before the hearing will be Idaho Governor C.L. "Butch" Otter and Mike and Chantell Sackett.  The Sacketts, who are building a home near Priest Lake, have challenged actions by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency related to the agency declaring their properly a wetland and consequently restricting development on it.

The hearing is scheduled to begin Tuesday, February 28 ^th at 9:30 AM in the Dirksen Senate Building, Room 628.  Other scheduled witnesses include Damien Schiff, Senior Staff Attorney for the Pacific Legal Foundation; Dr. Dennis Fife, Mayor of Brigham City, Utah; Mark Knight, National Cattlemen's Beef Association and the Kansas Livestock Association; and Buster Johnson, Chairman of the Mohave Board of Supervisors in Arizona.

Video will be available following the hearing on Pathfire and audio from the hearing will also be available.