Subject: NFHCA in the Omnibus Public Lands Package – BIG PUSH!! Hi everyone, It’s time for the big NFHCA push!!  Based on meetings today on the Senate side, NFHCA (S. 1214) is still alive and included as part of the EPW Committee’s portion of an Omnibus Public Lands, Water and Wildlife Package.  We have 1-2 days to reach out to our NFHCA champions, cosponsors, and Members who just generally like fish to encourage their support for an Omnibus package that includes NFHCA.  Ryan Roberts and I worked on the Action Alert below to the Fish Habitat Partnerships that went out on Friday (below).  I’m attaching a very general fact sheet on the Omnibus as well as our NFHAP fact sheet which lists S. 1214/H.R. 2565 cosponsors. Majority Leader Reid is saying today that he needs both Democrat and Republican Senators to approach him to request Senate consideration of an Omnibus package in order for him to bring the package to the floor before the lame duck session ends this week/next week.  Several Republican and Democratic Senators are in play, with the most likely Republicans and most problematic Democrats listed below.  Please include these as top priorities in outreach, but outreach to all Senators in the days ahead will be a priority with a major House push needing to occur as well. A quick update is I just heard back from Danielle Vogel with Sen. Lieberman’s office and Senator Lieberman (our lead NFHCA Democrat) will be approaching Senator Reid to request the Omnibus package moves forward and include S. 1214. Thx!!  Christy Republicans: Voinovich – (has stated he will support a package in public) Bennett – (has indicated he will support a package to many individual groups) Brown – significant target by the community – “may support” Kirk – a great deal of outreach has been done by Great Lakes groups Snowe – her National Endowment for the Oceans bill is in play Collins? – wild card Gregg? – wild card Hutchison – most likely a leaning no Alexander – supported the last Omnibus Public Lands Package (2009) – indicated he might support Crapo? Wicker? Corker? Cochran? McCain? – his focus is on Resolution Copper – the most controversial bill in the package Bond? – Our lead NFHCA Republican.  We’re hearing he has concerns with the Chesapeake Bay legislation based on Farm Bureau concerns.  We understand these concerns have been addressed through changes to the bill.  Democrats (all need shoring up): Ben Nelson – has expressed “cost” concerns Wyden – has an Oregon Forest Bill.  Unclear whether will be included in package. Feinstein – cares about the Desert Mtns Act (Mojave) and wants in package.  This bill hasn’t been through Committee. Tester – has a Montana Forest Bill.  Bill is further along but similar situation to Wyden Forest bill. Dorgan? Pryor? Landrieu? Lincoln? From: Ryan Roberts [mailto:RRoberts@fishwildlife.org]  Sent: Friday, December 10, 2010 11:31 AM To: Plumer, Christy Subject: FW: NFHAP-Penings Newsletter – Action Alert! This is what is going out to our 1,300 email subscribers…. Ryan Roberts NFHAP Communications Coordinator Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies 444 N. Capitol St. NW (Suite 725) Washington, DC 20001 O: 202.624.5851 C: 202.329.8882 www.fishhabitat.org From: National Fish Habitat Action Plan [mailto:news@fishhabitat.org]  Sent: Friday, December 10, 2010 11:30 AM To: Ryan Roberts Subject: NFHAP-Penings Newsletter – Action Alert!

****Action Alert!!!!**** Omnibus Public Lands, Water and Wildlife Package  and the National Fish Habitat Conservation Act (S. 1214/H.R. 2565) Dear NFHAP Partner Coalition Members:   This e-mail alert is requesting your assistance as Partner Coalition members in reaching out to your U.S. Senators and U.S. House of Representatives Members to request their support for an Omnibus Public Lands, Water and Wildlife Package.  As the current Congressional session winds to a close, we have the unique opportunity to encourage Congress to approve the National Fish Habitat Conservation Act (S. 1214/H.R. 2565) and its inclusion as part of the Omnibus Public Lands, Water and Wildlife package.  This package, as currently being drafted by Senate Committee Chairs and Senate leadership, includes the Senate version of the National Fish Habitat Conservation Act (S. 1214).  With the Congressional session nearing an end next week, this may be the only chance we have to ensure the National Fish Habitat Conservation Act is enacted into law.   Below are some talking points and links to general information on the National Fish Habitat Conservation Act as well as an overview fact sheet on the importance of the larger Omnibus Public Lands, Water and Wildlife package for your outreach to your Senate and House Delegation Members. Talking Points for reaching out to your Senate and House Members: •    Please encourage your Senate and House Members to support the Omnibus Public Lands, Water and Wildlife Package currently being considered in the United States Senate. •    This Omnibus package includes the National Fish Habitat Conservation Act (S. 1214), a bipartisan bill sponsored by Senator Lieberman (I-CT) and Senator Bond (R-MO) with 12 additional cosponsors.  The House bipartisan version of the bill has 30 total cosponsors. •    The National Fish Habitat Conservation Act is landmark legislation aimed at enhancing, protecting and restoring fish habitats nationwide.  The legislation directs critical resources toward the nation’s fish and aquatic communities by fostering regional partnerships that support fish habitat conservation from-the-ground-up. •    The Senate bill has been reported out of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee by voice vote, with no objections.   •    The Omnibus Public Lands, Water and Wildlife Package includes authorizing legislation to conserve our nation’s public lands and waters, cultural and historic resources, gateway communities, and fish and wildlife habitats. •    A broad coalition of organizations representing conservation, oceans, historic preservation, state fish and wildlife agencies, hunters, anglers, and recreationalists have come together in support of an Omnibus package of legislation that ensures consideration and Congressional approval of key public lands, water, and wildlife bills before the end of the 111th Congress. To Contact Your Senators: http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm To Contact Your Local House Member: https://writerep.house.gov/writerep/welcome.shtml Omnibus Public Lands Fact Sheet Additional resources are also available on the National Fish Habitat Action Plan website, www.fishhabitat.org, by way of the legislative toolkit and Action Plan one-page program sheet.  We need everyone’s help in reaching out to your Congressional delegations to ensure the National Fish Habitat Conservation Act becomes a reality with enactment in the 111th Congress!