January 31, 2007

CONTACT: Allyson Ivins Groff, 202-226-9019

"I am proud that our new subcommittee leaders truly represent a broad array of American ethnic, racial and gender diversity," said Committee Chairman Nick J. Rahall (D-WV). "These are the people who will lead the committee toward restoring integrity in the stewardship of our Nation's natural, cultural and wildlife resources. They will be on the front line in the pursuit of the committee's Agenda of American values that I have set forth."

Delegate Donna Christensen (D-VI) was tapped to chair the committee's newly created Subcommittee on Insular Affairs, which has jurisdiction over legislation governing the Nation's territorial possessions and freely associated States.

On her appointment to the Insular Subcommittee leadership position, Christensen said, "I am honored and excited to become part of leadership and a chairwoman, but especially so on the subcommittee that oversees the U.S. Virgin Islands and the other territories and free associated States. It will be challenging given the unique issues and concerns of all of them, but I look forward to it."

Rep. Grace Napolitano (D-CA) was selected to chair the Subcommittee on Water and Power, which has jurisdiction over water resources development, including irrigation and water recycling projects and the Federal power administrations, among other areas.

Napolitano commented on her appointment, "I am very proud to serve under Speaker Pelosi and especially Chairman Rahall to do our very best for our country's extremely important water needs. I expect to work hand in hand with Ranking Member McMorris Rodgers, the Bureau of Reclamation, and state and local governments, ensuring that rapidly growing urban areas in the Western states can continue to prosper from projects that develop new and sustainable water supplies."

Rep. Raúl Grijalva (D-AZ) will chair the Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands, which among other areas has jurisdiction over the National Wilderness Preservation System, units of the National Park and National Forest System, and the Bureau of Land Management.

Grijalva said, "I am humbled and honored to be selected to chair the Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands. This subcommittee oversees important issues affecting the Nation's lands. In the subcommittee, we plan to hold oversight hearings to examine how the Bush Administration's management has affected these lands, and determine the best way to fix the damage that has been done. I am committed to ensuring that our public lands retain their natural glory and are protected for future generations to appreciate and enjoy."

Delegate Madeleine Bordallo (D-GU) will chair the Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife and Oceans, which has jurisdiction over issues relating to fisheries management, wildlife resources, coastal barrier protection and coastal zone management, and marine sanctuaries, among other areas.

On her appointment, Bordallo said, "I am honored to continue my service on the Committee on Natural Resources and to serve as the new Chairwoman of the Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife, and Oceans for the 110^th Congress. I look forward to working with Chairman Rahall and my colleagues in a bipartisan manner to advance and enact legislation that will promote sustainable fisheries, protect our country's threatened and endangered species, and improve the health of coastal marine ecosystems and the welfare of our coastal communities. Our work to protect ocean resources is an important responsibility. It is one that impacts many aspects of the lives of our citizens in various parts of our country and in a wide variety of ways. Our challenge is to safeguard the interests of our individual communities in the American family and to meet our common objectives together toward protecting our natural resources."

Rep. Jim Costa (D-CA) was selected to chair the Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources, which has jurisdiction over energy development on public lands and waters, including oil and gas leasing in the Outer Continental Shelf, among other areas.

Costa noted on his appointment, "This will afford us a bipartisan opportunity to address our energy needs. The subcommittee will play a role in developing a new direction in reducing U.S. dependence on foreign sources of energy."