[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 8 (Tuesday, February 1, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Pages S740-S741]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. STEVENS (for himself, Mr. Inouye, and Ms. Murkowski):
  S. 225. A bill to direct the Secretary of the Interior to undertake a 
program

[[Page S741]]

to reduce the risks from and mitigate the effects of avalanches on 
recreational users of public land; to the Committee on Energy and 
Natural Resources.
  Mr. STEVENS. Mr. President, today I introduce, with Senators Inouye 
and Murkowski, the Federal Land Recreational Visitor Protection Act of 
2005.
  Across our State of Alaska, Western States, and areas of the 
Northeast, local governments and businesses struggle each year to 
remove potential avalanches or recover from the disastrous effects of 
avalanches.
  While such damage can bring hardships to many local communities, none 
can compare with the loss of a friend or family member. The U.S. 
averages over 20 deaths a year from avalanches, a majority of which are 
results of recreational activities in unmitigated avalanche areas. 
Earlier in January, 3 people were killed in two separate avalanches in 
northern Idaho and Utah, bringing the total number of people already 
killed in the U.S. this winter season to 16.
  Some States try and set aside money for rescues prior to the winter 
season, knowing that the resources required to clear all avalanche 
threats are not at hand.
  This bill brings those resources to the entities that need them the 
most, enabling us to significantly reduce the effects of avalanches on 
visitors, recreational users, transportation corridors, and our local 
communities.
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