[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 120 (Wednesday, September 15, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Page S10926]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          BRYAN AMENDMENT OF THE INTERIOR APPROPRIATIONS BILL

  Mr. SPECTER. Mr. President, I have sought recognition to state my 
views on the Bryan amendment regarding the Timber Sales Management 
program within the National Forest Service. I am concerned about 
environmental protection and safeguarding our Nation's Forests, 
providing that there is an appropriate balance for economic development 
and job opportunities.
  My state of Pennsylvania has one of the best run National Forests in 
the country. The Allegheny National Forest has some of the most 
valuable timber in the world, particularly its black cherry, which is 
used internationally for fine furniture and veneers. As an above cost 
forest, the Allegheny returns approximately $10 million to the Treasury 
annually and generates $44 million in total income and an estimated 732 
jobs. The rural Pennsylvania counties that surround the Allegheny 
National Forest substantially rely on these revenues to fund their 
local school systems.
  The Bryan amendment would provide the Timber Sales Management Program 
with the level of funding requested by the Administration. This is the 
program that funds the important work that is done to ensure that all 
timber cutting in our National Forests is done in an environmentally 
appropriate manner. The program is vital to restoring, improving and 
maintaining the health of our National Forests and it ensures that 
forests fully comply with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). 
Further, the amendment would take the $32 million dollars that was 
added to this program by the Senate Interior Appropriations 
Subcommittee and would use the money to continue road maintenance and 
to conduct biological surveys of the National Forests.
  I am convinced that we must continue to manage our National Forest 
system in a fiscal and environmental responsible manner. On final 
consideration, I believe this amendment strikes a fair balance between 
the efficient use of our National Forests and the funding of 
environmental programs that are vital to enhance the public's use and 
enjoyment of our national forests for many years to come.

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