[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 17 (Wednesday, February 11, 2004)]
[Senate]
[Page S1019]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mrs. BOXER (for herself and Mrs. Feinstein):
  S. 2067. A bill to withdraw the Los Padres National Forest in 
California from location, entry, and patent under mining laws, and for 
other purposes; to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
  Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, I am introducing legislation today that 
would ban oil and gas drilling in the Los Padres National Forest. 
Congresswoman Capps is introducing this legislation in the House of 
Representatives.
  Despite strong local opposition to drilling in the forest, the Forest 
Service released a Draft Environmental Impact Statement in October 2001 
that recommended opening up additional lands in the forest to oil and 
gas exploration. By failing to consider the irreparable harm these 
activities would cause to the forest's resources and the recreational 
opportunities available to both nearby residents and tourists, the 
Forest Service's proposal is shortsighted and misguided.
  The opening of the spectacular, unspoiled lands in Los Padres 
National Forest to oil and gas drilling threatens one of California's 
most pristine places. Los Padres National Forest provides habitat for 
various threatened and endangered wildlife species, including the 
endangered California condor. Also within the Los Padres National 
Forest are unexplored archeological sites that contain Native American 
historical artifacts. These could be damaged or destroyed by oil and 
gas development.
  Los Padres National Forest provides a variety of recreational 
opportunities, such as fishing, hiking, hunting, and backpacking. These 
activities would be hindered by new oil and gas exploration and 
development, as streams and trails are contaminated by runoff and 
sedimentation and as air pollution is increased.
  This legislation is a critical step toward protecting the 
irreplaceable natural and cultural resources of the Los Padres National 
Forest. I encourage my colleagues to support this legislation.

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