[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 11 (Thursday, January 19, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E136]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            INTRODUCTION OF THE NEVADA FOREST PROTECTION ACT

                                 ______


                       HON. BARBARA F. VUCANOVICH

                               of nevada

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, January 19, 1995

  Mrs. VUCANOVICH. Mr. Speaker, 6 years of persistent drought has 
produced large areas of dead and dying trees and other accumulated 
fuels in Nevada's forested lands. The 1994 wildfire season was the 
worst in history, and extreme wildfire danger still exists in many of 
the forested lands in Nevada, including the Lake Tahoe area which, in 
addition to the drought, has suffered years of insect infestation, 
resulting in a dangerous overloading of fuels.
  Last year, over 780 wildfires occurred throughout Nevada, involving 
well over 215,000 acres affecting areas near Caliente, Hallelujah 
Junction, Panacea, Lone Mountain, Bull Run, Mahogany Springs, Holbrook 
Junction, and Verdi. Both Federal and State resources were 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 flared across Nevada and other Western 
States last year, can be significantly reduced by removing excessive 
fuel accumulations including slash piles and dead trees that become 
fuel ladders.
  Today I am reintroducing the Nevada Forest Protection Act to preserve 
the health of Nevada's forested lands and to protect the lives and 
property of those who live in or near forested lands. This legislation 
requires the U.S. Forest Service and the Interior Department, working 
with State officials, to identify high-fire-risk Federal forested lands 
and to clear the forest fuels in those areas. My bill also calls for a 
long-term fire prevention plan to be designed by the Forest Service and 
Interior so that the dangerous buildup of fuels will no longer continue 
unchecked.
  Preemptive action now will be cost effective in the long run, 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 forested lands. I hope all my 
colleagues will support my efforts to ensure responsible management of 
these invaluable lands.

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