House refuses to let paperwork die

The House Monday voted not to eliminate more than 100 reports that were slated to die in December.

In 1995, Congress decided to eliminate hundreds of reporting requirements to "alleviate the paperwork burden on executive branch agencies" under the Federal Reports Elimination and Sunset Act of 1995. But H.R. 3002, which the House passed Monday, restores 128 reports related to natural resources issues that would have expired next month under the 1995 law.

"These reports are needed for effective congressional oversight and to allow the public to see how their taxpayer dollars are being spent," said Rep. John Doolittle, R-Calif.

Some of the rescued reports are:

• "Review of and Recommendations Concerning the Definition of 'Unprocessed Timber'"
• "Actual Operations Under Adopted Criteria for Coordinated Long-Range Operation of Colorado River Reservoirs"
• "Wild and Free Roaming Horses and Burros on Public Lands"
• "African Elephant Advisory Fund and Status of Elephant"

The Congressional Budget Office has determined that saving the reports will cost a total of $1 million a year.