[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 7 (Monday, January 22, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E46-E47]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           HEADWATERS FOREST

                                 ______


                        HON. FORTNEY PETE STARK

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, January 22, 1996

  Mr. STARK. Mr. Speaker, the Headwaters Forest in Humbolt County, CA, 
is one of the world's largest stands of privately owned ancient 
redwoods; however, this beautiful forest is in imminent danger of 
destruction. The Pacific Lumber Co., directed by Charles Hurwitz, has 
already logged thousands of acres and has indicated a desire to log 
some of the forest's last remaining 2,000-year-old giant redwoods.
  Presently, Mr. Hurwitz, is the subject of two Federal lawsuits 
totaling approximately $650 

[[Page E47]]
million, resulting from the failure in the late 1980's of a Texas 
savings and loan. The best chance to save the Headwaters Forest is 
through a debt-for-nature swap in which the Government would acquire 
the headwaters and in return would relieve all or part of Mr. Hurwit's 
outstanding debts.
  A debt-for-nature settlement negotiated with the help of the Clinton 
administration would allow the taxpayers to recover some of their 
losses from the savings and loan scandal while preserving one of the 
true treasures of nature--the Headwaters Forest.
  Less than 4 percent remain of the ancient, old-growth redwoods that 
once covered more than 2 million acres from Big Sur to the Oregon 
border. These majestic redwoods, such an important part of our 
California and national heritage, need to be preserved for future 
generations.

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