[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 20 (Wednesday, March 4, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E293]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                       FOREST HEALTH IN COLORADO

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BOB SCHAFFER

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, March 4, 1998

  Mr. BOB SCHAFFER of Colorado. Mr. Speaker, the health of the national 
forests in Colorado and the economies of rural communities are at risk 
from current national forest management practices. Severe threats from 
fire, insects and disease endanger the forests and the health, 
happiness and well-being of the citizens of Colorado. While properly 
utilized timber harvests can effectively contribute to restoring the 
health of forests, timber programs on the national forests have been 
almost completely eliminated in Colorado.
  Many scientists believe that Colorado has more, and older, trees now 
than at any time in recorded history. The health and capacity of 
Colorado's forests is directly related to the volume of timber 
harvested. Without proper management, thinning or prescribed burns, 
timber inventory accumulates to the point where growth is impeded, and 
stands become susceptible to wildfires, beetle infestations and 
disease. The proper harvests add valuable and essential resources to 
the economy while reducing the potential for catastrophic fires by 
eliminating dangerously high levels of fuels.
  Mr. Speaker, the motivation of the Forest Service these days seems to 
be driven not by what is best for the forest, but by what group 
protests the loudest. Meanwhile, timber budgets and timber sales 
decline and administrative costs escalate. Directing funds away from 
timber budgets negates forest management plans, undermines public input 
into the process, and harms the forest ecosystem. Such impediments to 
the Forest Service mission have resulted in a de facto policy of 
reduced use, increased risk of wildfires, and deteriorating forest 
health.
  Better national forest timber management programs are essential to 
the proper stewardship of the National forests in Colorado and to the 
health, condition and structure of the environment. Accordingly, I have 
urged my colleagues in the Colorado delegation and the Chief of the 
U.S. Forest Service to support proper timber management tools to ensure 
better forest health in Colorado.
  Mr. Speaker, the Colorado State Senate has spent considerable time 
evaluating the impact of our National forests on the Colorado economy. 
I hereby submit for the record the following Resolution adopted by the 
Colorado State Legislature.

 Senate Joint Resolution 97-26--,Adopted by the Colorado Legislature, 
                                  1997


CONCERNING THE SUPPORT OF PROPER TIMBER HARVESTING AS A MANAGEMENT TOOL 
              TO ENSURE BETTER FOREST HEALTH IN COLORADO.

       WHEREAS, The health of the national forests in Colorado and 
     the economies of rural communities are at risk of current 
     national forest management practices; and
       WHEREAS, The threat of fire, insects, and disease endangers 
     the health, happiness, and well-being of the citizens of 
     Colorado; and
       WHEREAS, Timber programs on national forests have been 
     almost completely eliminated in Colorado; and
       WHEREAS, The proper uses of timber harvest as a management 
     tool can effectively contribute to restoring the health of 
     forests; and
       WHEREAS, The proper use of timber harvest as a management 
     tool can help reduce dangerously high levels of fuels 
     resulting in the potential of catastrophic fires; and
       WHEREAS, Prescribed fires, used without the complement of 
     timber harvest, often destroy economically viable, renewable 
     resources and violate air quality and visibility standards; 
     and
       WHEREAS, Better national forest timber programs are 
     essential for proper stewardship of Colorado's forests and 
     improvement of the health, condition, and structure of the 
     natural environment; now, therefore.
       Be it Resolved by the Senate of the Sixty-first General 
     Assembly of the State of Colorado, the House of 
     Representatives concurring herein; That we, the members of 
     the General Assembly, respectfully urge that:
       (1) The United States Forest Service Chief and the Colorado 
     Congressional delegation support proper timber harvesting as 
     a management tool to ensure better forest health in Colorado;
       (2) The Colorado Congressional delegation support the Rocky 
     Mountain Regional Forester's strategy to reverse the decline 
     of forest management programs and to reach a more effective 
     program level by the year 2000; and
       (3) The Colorado Congressional delegation support 
     Congressional efforts to improve efficiency, effectiveness, 
     and accountability of national forest management,
       Be it further resolved, That copies of this resolution be 
     transmitted to each member of Colorado's Congressional 
     delegation, the Chief of the United States Forest Service, 
     and the Rocky Mountain Regional Forester.

  Mr. Speaker, I commend the Colorado Senate for adopting Senate Joint 
Resolution 97-26 in support of proper timber management to ensure 
better forest health in our state. State and local input into the 
management of our public lands is essential to maintain a healthy 
forest and thriving economy. I fully support their recommendations for 
better state and local involvement in the planning and implementation 
of forest policies. This resolution, sponsored by Colorado State 
Senator Don Ament, enjoys very strong support in Colorado. I thank 
Senator Ament, and his colleagues for their efforts and dedication to 
the state. I assure my former colleagues in the Colorado General 
Assembly that I will do everything in my power to improve efficiency, 
effectiveness, and accountability in the management of our national 
forests.
  In Congress my colleagues and I on the House Resources Committee and 
the Subcommittee on Forests and Forests Health are working to ensure 
that the Forest Service and the Administration hear Colorado's message 
loud and clear. On February 25th, the subcommittee held oversight 
hearings on the Administration's roadless area moratorium. There, 
county commissioners, forestry experts and Forest Service officials 
testified on the issue of access to our public lands for management, 
resources and recreation. The Forest Service's new ``no access'' 
policy, by conservative estimates, will lock up at least 34 million 
acres of public lands. Once again, the federal government has proposed 
a one-size-fits-all solution in contravention of forest planning 
practices that formerly relied on local participation and public input.
  On March 26th, we will hold an extensive hearing before the House 
Resources, Budget and Appropriations Committees into the operations, 
budgeting and management of the Forest Service. There, with my 
colleagues, I intend to examine better management alternatives and push 
for positive change. Proper management of our forests can provide 
habitat for our wildlife as well as recreational and economic resources 
for our people.
  Colorado Senate Joint Resolution 97-26 serves as a proper basis for 
congressional oversight. I commend the document to my colleagues and 
urge their full attention to the measure.
  Finally, Mr. Speaker, I wish to recognize Colorado State Senators, 
Ken Arnold, Jim Congrove, Dick Mutzebaugh, Maryanne Tebedo, and Dave 
Wattenberg, who joined Senator Don Ament in sponsoring and promoting 
Colorado Senate Joint Resolution 98-26.
  Thank you Mr. Speaker.

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