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House lawmakers on Monday rejected an attempt by Democratic Rep. Debbie Dingell of Dearborn to preserve requirements for environmental analysis under proposed changes to federal fishing laws.

Dingell's husband, former Rep. John Dingell who retired last year, wrote the National Environmental Policy Act in 1970 that requires agencies to assess the environmental, social and economic impacts of their actions and consider alternatives.

Legislation under consideration in the House would revise the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act in part by exempting fishery management decisions from the act.

The bill "would short circuit public review and comment on fisheries management decisions," Debbie Dingell said Monday on the House floor.

"The practical impact of this language means that local communities and businesses will not have the same opportunity to comment and have input on decisions that will impact their livelihood."

Supporters of the bill say it would give fishery managers greater flexibility in rebuilding fish stocks and eliminate duplication between the National Environmental Policy Act process and an impact analysis for the regional fishery management councils.

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