December 9 - December 13, 2003
Hyatt Regency Capitol Hill
Washington, DC

Wednesday, December 10 

11:45 a.m. - 1:15 p.m.

This luncheon session will focus on the substantive and fiscal issues involving reauthorization of the Transportation Equity Act for the 21^st Century (TEA-21), which includes addressing environmental streamlining, congestion mitigation and sprawl.

Speaker:

The Honorable Norm Mineta, Secretary
U.S. Department of Transportation

1:30 p.m. -3:45 p.m.

Environment and Natural Resources Committee Meets

1:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.

Clean Air Update: A Look at "Clear Skies" & State Multi-Pollutant Strategies

Speaker:

Leah Weiss, Senior Policy Advisor
Northeast States for Coordinated Air Use Management
(NESCAUM) Boston, MA

Sam Napolitano
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Washington, DC

2:30 p.m. - 3:45 p.m.

Committee Business Meeting
All members should plan to attend this session. Policies to be discussed include:

• Management of Federal Lands
• National Water Resources Policy
• Native American Water and Fishing Rights
• Radioactive Waste Management (Joint with Energy and Electric Utilities Committee)
• Solid Waste Management
• Water Quality

4:00 p.m.

Opening Plenary Program

5:15 p.m.

Steering Committee Meets
(Officers of Standing Committees)

6:15 p.m.

Reception

Thursday, December 11

8:00 a.m. -9:30 a.m.

Plenary Breakfast

9:30 a.m. - 5:00 a.m.

Environment and Natural Resources Committee Meets

9:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

This session will provide committee members with an opportunity to hear Administrator Leavitt's perspective on environmental issues and Bush administration priorities. This session will also offer the opportunity for committee members to engage in a dialogue with the Administrator on state and federal environmental issues.

Speaker:

The Honorable Mike Leavitt (invited)
Administrator

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Washington, DC

11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

All members should plan to attend this session.
The committee will discuss any unfinished business.

12:00 p.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Lunch/Committee Business Meeting Continued
Committee will break so members can pick up lunches that will be available at 12 noon. If necessary the committee will reconvene to conclude any outstanding policy discussions.

12:30 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.

The U.S. Office of Management and Budget recently released its annual report on the costs and benefits of federal regulations. The report reaches significant conclusions regarding environmental regulations that the committee will discuss with an OMB spokesperson. The report also discusses federal unfunded mandates and consultation processes available to states for raising concerns about proposed federal environmental and other regulations.

Speaker:

Paul Noe, Counselor to the Administrator
Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs
U.S. Office of Management and Budget
Washington, D.C.

2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Rapidly growing communities often find themselves competing for scarce water supplies with agricultural, environmental, recreational and power generation interests. These disputes often cross state lines, inviting federal and court intervention. This session will discuss options for settling disputes and point to recent examples of how and how not to go about getting results.

Speaker:

George William Sherk, Attorney, Colorado

3:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.

As the Congress debates proposals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, states have moved forward with a series of innovative options. NCSL staff will present examples of recent state efforts-many of which emphasize market mechanisms-that include multi-pollutant strategies to cut carbon dioxide emissions, greenhouse gas registries and emissions trading, carbon sequestration, and facility siting with carbon offsets.

Speakers:

Christie Rewey, Policy Associate, NCSL (Denver)
Jennifer Smith, Policy Associate, NCSL (Denver)

 3:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.

• Upcoming State Activity
• Federal Update

5:15 p.m.

Steering Committee
(Officers of Standing Committees)

 6:00 p.m.

 Reception

Friday, December 12 

8:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.

Special Briefings

8:30 a.m. - Noon

Policy Forum: Debate & voting on official policy resolutions
All members are encouraged to attend the business meeting.

Noon - 1:30 p.m.

Closing Plenary Lunch for the Fall Forum