HIGHWAY BILL MAY CURB TRIBES' ABILITY TO EXCEED STATE RULES

Senate environment committee Chairman James Inhofe (R-OK) has included language in the recently approved highway funding bill that could frustrate Indian tribes' efforts to set their own environmental standards on tribal lands, including rules under the Clean Air Act. Congress approved the $286-billion bill authorizing funding for hundreds of transportation projects before adjourning for the August recess. President Bush is expected to sign the bill. As chairman of the environment committee, Inhofe played a key role in the House-Senate conference...