[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 85 (Friday, June 18, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1173]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       THE FOREST LEGACY PROGRAM

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. THOMAS H. ALLEN

                                of maine

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 17, 2004

  Mr. ALLEN. Mr. Speaker, the Forest Legacy Program preserves working 
forests and protects critical forest resources. Since its inception, 
the Forest Legacy program has protected 360,000 acres of forested land, 
while helping to preserve the working forest economies of many States, 
including Maine.
  The FY05 Interior Appropriations bill before the House today 
drastically cuts this program. The $43 million in the bill for forest 
conservation projects is $26 million (38 percent) less than last year's 
level; $57 million less than the President requested in his budget; 
$107 million (71 percent) less than sought by 92 House Members in a 
letter to the Interior appropriations committee that I led with 
Representatives Bass and Marshall; and a whopping $193 million below 
the level of projects proposed by States.
  The bill eliminates 10 projects recommended by the President, cuts 
funding--by as much as 75 percent--for 37 projects in 30 States and 
territories, and eliminates funds for 6 new States to join the program.
  The Forest Legacy Program has strong support from the Administration, 
which proposed more than a 40-percent increase in this year's budget.
  The Forest Legacy Program provides multiple public benefits. The 
program enables landowners to retain ownership of their land and 
continue to earn income from it; conserves open space, scenic lands, 
wildlife habitat, and clean water; and ensures continued opportunities 
for outdoor recreational activities such as hunting, fishing, and 
hiking.
  Given its record of assisting private landowners, leveraging non-
federal funds and ensuring long-term conservation benefits, the Forest 
Legacy Program is a successful example of a public-private, non-
regulatory partnership approach to land conservation. For limited 
dollars, the program brings multiple public benefits.
  We should not be cutting this program.

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