[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 135 (Friday, September 23, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: September 23, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                    THE NEVADA FOREST PROTECTION ACT

                                 ______


                       HON. BARBARA F. VUCANOVICH

                               of nevada

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 23, 1994

  Mrs. VUCANOVICH, Mr. Speaker, 6 years of drought has produced large 
areas of dead and dying trees and other accumulated fuels in Nevada's 
forests. This has made 1994 the most severe wildfire season in modern 
history. Extreme wildfire danger exists in many of the forest lands in 
Nevada, including the Lake Tahoe area which, in addition to the 
drought, has suffered years of insect infestation, resulting in a 
forest that is even more dangerously overloaded with fuels.
  Already this year, over 780 wildfires have occurred throughout the 
State, involving more than 215,000 acres affecting areas near Caliente, 
Hallelujah Junction, Panaca, Lone Mountain, Bull Run, Mahogany Springs, 
Holbrook Junction, and Verdi. Both Federal and State resources have 
been stretched to the limit fighting fires across Nevada as well as 
helping out in other States.
  The risk of intense wildfires threatening the safety of people and 
property, like the ones that have already flared across Nevada and 
other Western States, can be significantly reduced by removing 
excessive fuels accumulations including slash piles and dead trees that 
become fuels ladders.
  Today I am introducing the Nevada Forest Protection Act to preserve 
the health of Nevada's forests and to protect the lives and property of 
those who live in or near forests. This legislation requires the U.S. 
Forest Service and the Interior Department, working with State 
officials, to identify high-fire-risk Federal forest lands in Nevada 
and to clear the forest fuels in those areas. My bill also calls for a 
long-term fire prevention plan by the Forest Service and Interior so 
that the dangerous build up of fuels will no longer continue unchecked.
  Preemptive action now will be highly cost effective since the cost of 
fighting fires as they occur is significant. This legislation is vital 
in the process of preventing wildfires and improving the health of our 
Federal forest lands. I hope all my colleagues will support this 
effort.

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