CABIN OWNER CONGRESSIONAL COMMUNICATIONS NEEDED NOW

The next six weeks, including August and early September, 2010, will be a critical time for the Cabin Fee Act (CFA), which has been so strongly supported by cabin owners everywhere as a solution to the excessively high fees resulting from the Cabin Users Fee Fairness Act (CUFFA).  Congress will be “in recess” for District and State work periods and most Members of Congress will be home for constituent meetings.  Cabin owners will likely have more than one opportunity in August and September to ask their Senators and Representatives to support our cause.  If cabin owners cannot meet personally with their Senators and Representatives in their State or District offices or at local events, they should try to meet with their staff or phone, e-mail or write to their local offices.

Following the recess, Congress will reconvene in Washington, D.C., on September 14th with only sixteen legislative days before the targeted adjournment date of October 8th so the Members can return home to campaign for the November elections.  Although there will likely be a “lame duck” session as long as two or three weeks following the elections, the agenda for that session will be very crowded and the outlook uncertain.  This all means that we do not have much time to achieve our legislative goals this year.  This is why August and September are so important.  We simply do not have much time left to let Congress know how much cabin owners have at stake and how determined we are to achieve our goals:  First, to enact the Cabin Fee Act.  Second, if that cannot be done this year, to extend the moratorium on cabin fee increases for 2011.
The CFA (H.R. 4888 in the U.S. House of Representatives ) has been well received in Congress and moved at a rapid pace since its introduction in early March, with a successful April 22nd Hearing by the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands and Forests and then, full Natural Resources Committee approval on July 22nd.  Now Congress and cabin owners are awaiting a report on the budget impact of the CFA from the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) – a prerequisite for final passage. The necessary letter requesting this CBO analysis was co-signed by Representatives Doc Hastings (R-WA), Jim Costa (D-CA) and Peter DeFazio (D-OR), all of whom should be thanked for that effort. 

(NOTE:  Members of Congress can be told that cabin owners are confident that the CFA can be modified if necessary to accommodate any changes required by the CBO.)
 In the meantime, key Senators are being asked to introduce and pass a Senate CFA .  If enactment cannot be accomplished in the limited time left for this Congress, then cabin owners will need an extension of the moratorium on cabin fee increases Congress passed last year.
So, following are the main points to be stressed by cabin owners to their Senators and Representatives:

ALL Senators and Representatives should be contacted if possible, with the following Members key because of:
(1) Their positions on committees/subcommittees that have vital jurisdiction over the CFA and/or the prospects for a moratorium;  and/or
(2) A large number of cabin owners in their State or their Congressional District.
Senators and Representatives who have clearly indicated their support for cabin owners are noted  in the following list and should be thanked, while urged to continue that support through final enactment of the CFA into law.  The 27 bipartisan cosponsors of the House CFA (H.R. 4888) should be especially thanked.  Also to be especially thanked are the cosponsors of the Senate Resolution in 2009 that established the moratorium on cabin fee increases for 2010. The list also includes the Senate and House Democratic leaders , Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) and Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), who could determine whether the CFA receives floor votes in the respective chambers.
For convenient reference, Senators and Representatives are grouped alphabetically by state.
Abbreviations are:
SA – Senate Appropriations Committee
SIA – Senate Interior Appropriations Subcommittee
ENR – Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee
PFL – Senate ENR Public Lands and Forests Subcommittee
HA – House Appropriations Committee
HIA – House Interior Appropriations Subcommittee
NR – House Natural Resources Committee
NPFPL – House NR Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands
“Ranking” identifies the top Republican on a committee or subcommittee.

CLICK HERE FOR LINKS TO YOUR STATE OFFICIALS

Good Morning,

Today is ‘Mark-up’ day. The House Natural Resources Committee convenes at 10:00AM in the Longworth House Office Building room 1324. We have heard that there are 14 bills in consideration for mark-up. Several of the bills will be grouped under the Unanimous Consent (UC) procedure and will simply be voted up or down as a group. HR4888, as amended (nothing substantive), will probably be in that group. Our meetings yesterday informed us that no opposition is expected to the bill! That said, almost everyone we talked to yesterday expressed this likelihood, but cautioned that CBO scoring was the larger issue. We have heard that the CBO should have an opinion in the next few weeks. According to Majority staff of NR, Christy Goldfuss and David Watkins with Chairman Nick Rahall, that is when the work will begin.

In addition to those offices I noted in yesterday’s report, we met with Cong. McClintock (R-CA), (Kristen Glenn, Leg. Dir.) and Sen. John Tester’s (D-MT) office Jack Cederquist. In all of these visits, cautious optimism about mark-up was expressed, but all referenced the CBO scoring issue. From what we heard, we should expect a report from the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) fairly soon.

During our rounds, we had the honor of personally meeting Cong. Nick Rahall (D-WV), Cong. Rob Bishop (R-UT), Cong. Tom McClintock (R-CA), Cong. Peter DeFazio (D-OR) and Senator John Tester (D-MT).

The process continues to move forward, we are pleased, but challenges lay ahead. I’ll try to get an update out later today following the ‘Mark-up’.

Pete Bailey

Greetings,

Tuesday in D.C. was a full day. Aubrey, Geoff, Heath Heikkila and myself started with breakfast at 7:45AM. That’s 4:45AM Pacific!#?

At 9:00 AM, Geoff, Heath and I met with Cong. Jay Inslee (D-WA). We discussed the importance of maintaining the existing fee tier amounts and how the CFA better values our use of the land, than a fee simple appraisal does.  Rep. Inslee appreciated the clarifications and impact on fees. Though not one of our co-sponsors, Rep. Inslee plays an important role on the committee. We do not expect any objections during mark-up.

At 10:30 AM, all of us met with Travis Joseph the Leg. Asst. for Cong. Peter DeFazio (D-OR). Concerns about high fees from early in the appraisal cycle, when real estate values peaked, was expressed. One suggestion being made in mark-up is to normalize or adjust the appraisal data by a national real estate index prior to assignment to tiers. This addresses that concern. Rep. DeFazio’s support and signature on the CBO scoring request letter indicates his deep concern for this issue.

We then met with Mr. Jim Streeter, minority staff for Natural Resources. Mr. Streeter is central in the mark-up process. All suggestions for modifications from Congress, the FS and cabin owners are being filtered through his office. We expect the bill to be slightly modified for the mark-up session. Your C2 representatives in D.C. are monitoring the process very closely.

In the afternoon, we met. Cong. Kathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) who represents the Spokane, WA district. She was an early co- sponsor of the CFA and remains a staunch advocate and supporter. The mark-up process was discussed, plus the importance of maintaining an affordable fee structure. We sincerely appreciate Cong. McMorris-Rodgers support.

The entire evening was spent combing the mark-up bill which then was returned to Mr. Streeter. The bill then goes to Legislative Counsel for finalizing the legal language. We expect to review the completed bill sometime today prior to tomorrow’s mark-up session.

Office visits today include Missy Small, Leg. Director for Cong. Mike Simpson (R-ID), Christy Goldfuss, majority staff, Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands, Cong. Doc Hastings (R-WA) our bill sponsor, Cong. Nick Rahall, Chairman, House Natural Resources and Cong. Rob Bishop (R-UT), Ranking Member House subcommittee on National Park, Forests and Public Lands.

Another full day in preparation for tomorrow’s mark-up session in Natural Resources…

Pete Bailey

Greetings All,

With small, but significant steps, we continue to move the Cabin Fee Act of 2010 (CFA) forward. The work being done by Cong. Doc Hastings’ staff, as well as several other engaged Congressmen, remains instrumental in this process. The ‘mark-up’ of H.R.4888 has been scheduled for this coming Thursday before the House Natural Resources Committee. Cabin Coalition 2 will be sending two of your representatives, Geoff Anderson and myself, to be present for the session and available to answer questions and monitor suggestions and/or proposed changes.

In addition, Congressional office visits are being planned for the two days prior to the Thursday ‘mark-up’. These visits are important because the educational/clarification process with staff continues. We must make every effort to ensure a positive, long-term solution to cabin fees is the outcome. Though the political process is cumbersome and challenging, it can work. The support of cabin owners from across the country has driven our current successes to date. Please stay informed and engaged, and ready to communicate with your state’s delegation in DC.

I’ll try to give a brief update of our Congressional office visits on Tuesday and Wednesday. Of course, we will be reporting on the outcome of the ‘mark-up’ session itself. So check the NFH website blog for the latest news.

Enjoy the summer sunshine!

Pete Bailey
NFH Director & C2 Legislative Contact chair

The Cabin Fee Act of 2010 (H.R. 4888) co-sponsor list is at 25. New additions in the last two weeks include Lynn Woolsey (D-CA) and David Wu (D-OR). The CFA is truly a bi-partisan bill with 12 Democrats and 13 Republicans.

C2 is still waiting on the revenue scoring from the Congressional Budget Office and the markup session. Updates will be posted as progress is made this summer.

Enjoy the 4th of July,
Sharon Karr
C2 Rep. – Diamond Lake Tract – Oregon

First it was the stimulus bill, next it was health care, stepping ahead of C2’s effort to replace CUFFA with the Cabin Fee Act (CFA). Now it’s the Gulf Coast oil spill. The Energy and Natural Resources Committee is heavily involved with the oil spill in the Gulf, traveling to review the situation and holding multiple hearings. This is the same committee the CFA (H.R. 4888) is assigned to.

C2 remains patient and continues to work toward the current goals of moving H.R. 4888 into markup this summer, obtaining a revenue scoring from the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), and orchestrating the companion bill in the Senate.

And the push to obtain additional co-sponsors continues every day by cabin owners. The co-sponsors total is at 23, recently adding Anna Eshoo (D-CA) from the Bay Area. Keep up the good work Bay Area cabin owners!

Sharon Karr
C2 Rep. – Diamond Lake – Oregon

Last Friday, Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) was in Bend, OR to hold the second hearing on his bill, S. 2895, to overhaul management of Central and Eastern Oregon forests. With him were the Energy and Natural Resources Public Lands and Forests subcommittee, which he chairs, his D.C. and Oregon staff, and Frank Gladics, minority staff member of the subcommittee.

The national forests included in this bill contain eleven cabin tracts with a total of 424 cabins, with fees ranging from $350 to $5,500. The tracts I’ve visited exist in forest conditions where cabins have burned in forest fires and permits were lost when rebuilding wasn’t allowed. The forest conditions need attention and this seemed like an opportunity to hear both sides of the debate and see Senator Wyden at work, perhaps learning a little about his style of chairing a hearing.

When C2 has a companion bill (to H.R. 4888) in the Senate, the hearing will be held before Wyden and this subcommittee. Wyden knew his topic well. His questions and dialog with the 11 witnesses was a no-holds-barred style, demanding answers and when the answer wasn’t forthcoming, asking the witness to get back to him with the information. All sides of the debate were presented, from the timber industry, the conservation and environmentalist movement, and the Native Americans who reside and work within the east-side reservations surrounded by national forests.

What was very interesting to me was the timber industry is divided internally as are the environmentalists. This deeply perplexed Senator Wyden. He asked repeatedly why one timber operator hasn’t spoken with the opposing timber operator; why one conservationist group opposes what other environmental groups support. He wanted everyone at the table to communicate, with one another, with him, and with his staff.

I find a valuable lesson in Wyden’s insisting everyone communicates in all directions. C2 has followed the model of communicating and sharing information since the beginning. Continuing to talk, meet, answer questions and educate the agency and political staffers in a bi-partisan way is to C2’s advantage and will appeal to Wyden.

Thanks to the local cabin owners from Crescent Lake, Diamond Lake and the Metolius who attended the hearing, showing your interest in Senator Wyden’s proposal for central and east-side Oregon forests. By simply signing in as a cabin owner on USFS land lets Wyden, his staff and the committee know cabin owners and C2 are organized, still working and serious about a solution. Although the hearing lasted almost three hours, your time was well spent, using this as an opportunity to let Wyden know cabin owners are united and are vested in the health of the forests and the future of our cabins.

Sharon Karr
C2 Rep. – Diamond Lake Tract – Oregon

Tuesday (May 18th) began with meeting David Brooks, Senate Majority staff, Energy and Natural Resources Committee. Aubrey, Geoff and I reported on the outcome of yesterday’s FS meeting. David discussed the mechanics and wisdom of a companion bill in the Senate. Though not essential, the thought was to proceed in the Senate. The ‘Pay-Go’ concern remains the biggest hurdle in gaining broader support.

Following Aubrey’s departure due to previous commitments, Geoff and I met Heath Heikkila of Ball Janik, and Peter Gaulke, Legislative Fellow for Senator Merkley (D-OR). Mr. Gaulke is a FS staff member on a one-year fellowship with Senator Merkley. Peter expressed many of the same issues the FS raised the previous day. We shared with him our optimism from that meeting and encouraged Sen. Merkley’s support for the CFA.

Following Geoff’s departure, Heath and I met with Rep. DeFazio’s Leg. Director, Travis Joseph. Travis expressed Mr. DeFazio’s (D-OR) support for the CFA and the importance of resolving revenue concerns promptly, which remains key to gaining additional co-sponsors, particularly from the Majority. Travis is very well informed and engaged in our behalf. We look forward to answering Mr. DeFazio’s concerns and adding his support to our efforts.

Our next meeting was with Pete Modaff and Ryan Shauers of Rep. Dicks’ (D-WA) office. We shared our FS meeting update with them. Though Rep. Dicks is not yet a co-sponsor on the H.R.4888, we look forward to their help moving the bill forward.

Finally, we met Ethan Pittleman, Leg. Asst. for Rep. Schrader (D-OR). We were encouraged to hear that Rep. Schrader is informed about the needs of the cabin program and the details of the CFA. We expect to hear back from Ethan soon concerning Mr. Schrader’s support.

Events are moving forward. We hope to see the bill move to ‘mark-up’ by the committee in June. The Cabin Coalition 2 is responding to several issues prior to this ‘mark-up’ session. We will keep everyone informed as we proceed. Thanks for the encouragement and support from cabin owners across the country.

Pete Bailey

Aubrey King, Doug Gann, Geoff Anderson and I have had a full and eventful day. Several positive meetings occurred with Forest Service and Congressional staff.

The day began meeting with Mr. Jim Streeter, Legislative Director for Congressman Doc Hastings. We discussed our meeting agenda with the Forest Service that would include the revenue issue, concerns about the Transfer Fee and current appraisal data for tier assignment. We heard from Mr. Streeter that Cong. Hastings will decide to move the bill forward once we have revenue numbers clarified.

The Forest Service meeting was very encouraging. Forest Service personnel attending were Joel Holtrop, Deputy Chief, Ted Freeman, Chief Appraiser, Gary Schiff and M.L. Smith Legislative staff. The FS has acknowledged that their revenue projections did not include adjustments for the decline in the market, the lower results from many second appraisals and the potential loss of permits and that these market realities could very well reduce their revenue projection numbers. Since they do not have any hard data concerning these issues, they would defer to the CBO for adjustments but would acknowledge studies done by the Cabin Coalition 2 and NFH. We feel this is a very positive outcome.

We also discussed the Transfer Fee in depth. Though the FS continues to express administrative concerns about the Transfer Fee, they would appreciate suggestions about simplifying the process. After considerable discussion, Joel Holtrop expressed a deeper understanding of why this part of the CFA makes sense for all parties. Following Joel’s departure, discussions continued with Mr. Freeman and Mr. Schiff about the appraisal data best suited for tier assignments. It was again stated that the CUFFA appraisals provide the most consistent data set for this task.

We then had a brief meeting with Senator Barrasso’s, Legislative Director, Maggie Beal. We discussed efforts on the Senate side and how best to facilitate this process. It remains clear that Senator Barrasso is a strong supporter of the CFA.

Another meeting followed with Mr. Frank Gladic, Minority Staff for the Senate Energy and Natural Resources committee. Frank’s advice continues to guide us in our efforts to secure Senate support for the CFA.

Finally, the day concluded with another visit with Rep. Costa’s, Legislative Director, Jacquelyn Schneider. We heard that communication between Mr. Costa’s staff and the FS has indicated a moderation of the FS revenue projection numbers. In fact, it appears that we are closer together than we have believed. We left Mr. Costa’s office much encouraged.

Several meetings are scheduled for tomorrow that will focus on the Oregon and Washington state delegations. A brief update will follow tomorrow.

Pete Bailey
C2 Steering Committee – Political Chair

The co-sponsors for HR 4888, the Cabin Fee Act, continues to grow! As of today (5/19/10) there are twenty-two….  Feedback to C2 from cabin owners in other representative districts indicates that additional co-sponsors may be signing on. At this time HR 4888 has strong bi-partisan support, an essential element for success in today’s political climate.

This continuing addition of new sponsors is a tribute to cabin owners nationwide. Your letters, phone calls and visits to congressional offices in your district provides the much needed education for your representative and their staff members about the cabin program. Please continue to make these key contacts, thanking the co-sponsors below and encouraging your representative if they have not signed on to HR 4888.

Current co-sponsors include:

Arizona: Gabrielle Giffords

California: Jim Costa, Sam Farr, Walter Herger, Duncan Hunter, Zoe Lofgren, Tom McClintock, Jerry McNerney, Devin Nunes, George Radanovich, Michael Thompson

Guam: Madeleine Bordallo

Idaho: Michael Simpson

Minnesota: Erik Paulsen

Montana: Dennis Rehberg

Oregon: Greg Walden

Utah: Rob Bishop, Jason Chaffetz

Washington: Doc Hastings, Cathy McMorris Rodgers

Wisconsin: Tammy Baldwin

Wyoming: Cynthia Lummis

Thanks for your hard work!

Sharon Karr

C2 Rep. – Diamond Lake, OR