WASHINGTON, Feb. 8 -- The House Natural Resources Committee issued a report (H.Rpt. 119-449) on a bill (H.R. 681), which aims to amend the Act of Aug. 9, 1955 (commonly known as the "Long-Term Leasing Act", to authorize leases of up to 99 years for land held in trust for the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe and Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head Aquinnah. The report was advanced by Rep. Bruce Westerman, R-Arkansas, on Jan. 14, 2026. Here are excerpts: * * * Purpose of the Legislation The purpose of H.R. 681  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 8 -- The House Natural Resources Committee issued a report (H.Rpt. 119-451) on the Chugach Alaska Land Exchange Oil Spill Recovery Act (H.R. 3903). The report was advanced by Rep. Bruce Westerman, R-Arkansas, on Jan. 14, 2026. Here are excerpts: * * * PURPOSE OF THE LEGISLATION The purpose of H.R. 3903 is to exchange non-Federal land held by the Chugach Alaska Corporation for certain Federal Land in the Chugach Region, and for other purposes. BACKGROUND AND NEED FOR LEGISLA  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 7 -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security Coast Guard issued the following news release: * * * MEDIA AVAILABILITY: Coast Guard to commission USCGC Frederick Mann (WPC 1160) in Kodiak, Alaska * KODIAK, Alaska - Media are invited to attend a commissioning ceremony Friday, Feb. 13, for Coast Guard Cutter Frederick Mann (WPC 1160) in Kodiak. WHO: * Rear Adm. Bob Little, commander of the Arctic District * Lt. Jakob Daubert, commanding officer of Coast Guard Cutter Frede  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 6 -- Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Maryland, issued the following news release: * * * Van Hollen, Alsobrooks Announce Nearly $30 Million for Maryland Water Infrastructure, Investments in Environmental, Bay Restoration * Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee and Subcommittee on Interior Environment, and Related Agencies, and Senator Angela Alsobrooks (both D-Md) announced $29,636,000 in direct federal funding for 28 community-led pro  more