[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 131 (Friday, September 26, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1877]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     END LOGGING ROAD SUBSIDIES NOW

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                            HON. TOM LANTOS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 26, 1997

  Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, as conferees representing the House and 
Senate go to conference to resolve differences between each Chamber's 
version of the Interior appropriations bill, I urge my colleagues on 
the conference committee to put an end to the use of taxpayer subsidies 
for the construction of logging roads in our national forests.
  The Federal Government spends millions of dollars each year 
subsidizing the construction of logging roads in our national forests. 
These roads' only purpose is to allow loggers to cut more trees. It is 
time to end this fiscally wasteful and environmentally destructive 
subsidy of the timber industry.
  Our national forests represent a major portion of some of the last 
remaining untouched forest in this country. Regrettably, the U.S. 
Forest Service continues to spend $90 million each year to build 
logging roads deep into these forests so that timber companies can chop 
down these precious resources. These needless corporate subsidies also 
carry with them very detrimental environmental consequences. I know of 
absolutely no reason why we should continue the construction of these 
roads.
  Logging roads cut through precious habitats of fish and wildlife, 
including many threatened and endangered species. The construction of 
these roads has had a devastating impact upon habitat, water quality, 
and wildlife population. Road construction has also increased the risk 
of landslides, erosion, and siltation of streams.
  In July, the House voted on the Porter-Kennedy amendment to the 
Interior Appropriations Act of 1998, which would prevent further 
destruction of our Nation's Federal forests, including old growth 
forests which remain on public land. The vote to abolish this subsidy 
came within only two votes of passing the House. A secondary amendment, 
however, cut the subsidy in half.
  Mr. Speaker, it is not often that we have a chance to enhance 
environmental protection while at the same time reducing the Federal 
budget deficit and finally putting an end to an unnecessary corporate 
subsidy. Soon, the House-Senate conference committee will make a 
decision about the inclusion of the logging road subsidy. I urge the 
conferees to eliminate purchaser credits and eliminate the 
appropriation for timber roads. We do not need any new taxpayer 
subsidized logging roads in our national forests.

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