[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 1 (Wednesday, January 6, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E10]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      THE IMPORTANCE OF PRESCRIBED BURNS IN AREA NATIONAL FORESTS

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                          HON. JAMES E. ROGAN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, January 6, 1999

  Mr. ROGAN. Mr. Speaker, recent figures from the Department of the 
Interior indicate that the cost of fighting severe wildfires has risen 
from $100 million per year just two decades ago, to well over $1 
billion today. In addition, wildfires every year destroy hundreds of 
acres of forest lands, threatening lives, home and air quality.
  In many remote regions of the country, forestry officials use small, 
controlled fires known as ``prescribed burns'' to remove excess 
underbrush that fuels severe wildfires. In so doing, they eliminate a 
major source of fuel of wildfires, while also promoting healthier 
forest growth.
  In metropolitan ares like Los Angeles, however, officials are 
prevented from expanding this procedure due to air quality regulations 
that limit emissions from all sources--wildfires, burns, smog, and the 
like. Last year alone, these officials wanted to burn more than 20,000 
acres to protect local residents from out-of-control wildfires. 
Bureaucratic regulations, however, permitted the burning of only 2,000 
acres--well below safety expert's recommendations.
  Working with Representatives Dreier, McKeon and local forestry and 
air quality officials, I have introduced the Forest Protection Act. 
This measure will ease current restrictions for ten years to allow 
officials to conduct an expanded prescribed burn program. Over the 
time-year period, local officials will monitor forest health and air 
quality to ensure that both improve over time.
  Local forestry officials are not the only experts to recognize the 
importance of this procedure. Both Interior Secretary Babbit and 
Environmental Protection Agency chief Carol Browner have publicly 
supported prescribed burns as a means to promote forest health and 
prevent severe wildfires.
  The Forest Health and Wildfire Prevention Act will give forestry 
officials the ability to use this time-tested technique to protect area 
residents and air quality while supporting the delicate ecological 
balance in our forests.

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