Western Issues

Living in the West these are issues I want to know what the current Presidential contender's positions are.

1. What are their guidelines their administration would apply in deciding water transfers in the West?
2. Would she/he recommend changes in federal policy for grazing fees?
3. Would she/he recommend changes to the Mining Law of 1872?
4. What is her/his official position on Yucca Mountain?
5. What is her/his official position on using wind and solar, as we have both in abundance, for power generation on a large scale?

On candidate's silence on these issues. I believe the candidate either doesn't have a manager good enough to develop and disseminate these policies, or the candidate doesn't want us voters to know her/his position on those issues.

1. What are their guidelines their administration would apply in deciding water transfers in the West?

Biden: ?
Clinton: "State law governs the transfer of water rights, and I do not believe that the federal government should usurp state water law."
Dodd: ?
Edwards: "A decision for Nevadans and principally a matter of Nevada law."
Giuliani: ?
Gravel: "As chairman of the Water Resources Committee, in 1979, I proposed a complete reevaluation of the Colorado River Compact, as it was obvious that the conditions which existed in 1922 had changed dramatically. "Rural water diversion in Nevada should be the last option to sustain the growth of the metropolitan areas."
Huckabee: ?
McCain: "Disputes should be resolved in state and local courts."
McKinney: ?
Obama: "Federal policies are needed to encourage voluntary water banks, wastewater treatment and other market-based measures, improve technology for water conservation and efficiency, and remove institutional barriers to increase cooperation and collaboration among federal, state, tribal and private organizations."
Kucinich: ?
Paul: ?
Richardson: "Would seek a new cabinet department dealing with water and on water transfers would follow Nevada Sen. Harry Reid's lead."
Romney: "Generally a state issue."
Thompson: ?

2. Would she/he recommend changes in federal policy for grazing fees?

Biden: ?
Clinton: "I do not believe that major changes need to be made in this area."
Dodd: ?
Edwards: "I do not believe that higher grazing fees are necessary."
Giuliani: ?
Gravel: "I would not, at present, change the relationship between the rancher and the federal land managers."
Huckabee: ?
McCain: "Strongly opposes drastic hikes in such fees that would bankrupt hard-working ranching families."
McKinney: ?
Obama: "Should work towards a reasonable compromise."
Kucinich: ?
Paul: ?
Richardson: "They're fine where they are."
Romney: "Those implementing federal policy should take local and state interests and local and state issues into account when making decisions."
Thompson: ?

3. Would she/he recommend changes to the Mining Law of 1872?

Biden: ?
Clinton: " the Mining Law of 1872 is out of date and should be improved to provide both reasonable compensation for use of federal lands and environmental safeguards, such as enforceable reclamation assurances."
Dodd: ?
Edwards: "Without question, the Mining Law is out of date."
Giuliani: ?
Gravel: "to me the lack of environmental standards in the 1872 Mining Law is the most compelling reason to consider changes to the law."
Huckabee: ?
McCain: "Must adhere to four key principles."
McKinney: ?
Obama: "We need to update the Mining Law of 1872 to improve environmental protection and require reasonable compensation for the use of federal land while providing long-term business certainty for the industry."
Kucinich: ?
Paul: ?
Richardson: "That we need to change."
Romney: "The industry has proposed some reasonable reforms that should be explored."
Thompson: ?

4. What is her/his official position on Yucca Mountain?

Biden: ?
Clinton: "I've long opposed using Yucca as a site for nuclear waste."
Dodd: ?
Edwards: "I have serious concerns about moving ahead with Yucca Mountain."
Giuliani: ?
Gravel: "I will propose adopting the recommendation of the GNEP and request funding for a reprocessing facility to reduce the already accumulated waste. Yucca Mountain could become redundant under my proposal."
Huckabee: ?
McCain: "Has voted in support of establishing a safe, secure and properly licensed facility at Yucca Mountain."
McKinney: ?
Obama: "At this time, I can't support the Yucca Mountain project and believe we should redirect spending to alternatives, such as improving the safety and security of spent fuel at plant sites around the country."
Kucinich: ?
Paul: ?
Richardson: "Should not be the receptacle for waste."
Romney: "Before making significant decisions regarding Yucca Mountain that have a direct and specific impact on Nevada, I will consult with Nevada leaders like Jim Gibbons, Brian Krolicki, John Ensign, Jon Porter and Dean Heller."
Thompson: ?

5. What is her/his official position on using wind and solar, as we have both in abundance, for power generation on a large scale?

Biden: ?
Clinton: ?
Dodd: ?
Edwards: ?
Giuliani: ?
Gravel: ?
Huckabee: ?
McCain: ?
McKinney: ?
Obama: ?
Kucinich: ?
Paul: ?
Richardson: ?
Romney: ?
Thompson: ?

http://www.broowaha.com/article.php?id=2806

Copyright © 2008 Craig B
http://reno.broowaha.com/profile.php?id=1516