[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 20 (Thursday, February 7, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E136]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    FOREST LANDSCAPE RESTORATION ACT

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                         HON. RAUL M. GRIJALVA

                               of arizona

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, February 7, 2008

  Mr. GRIJALVA. Madam Speaker, today I am introducing the Forest 
Landscape Restoration Act. This Act establishes the ``Collaborative 
Forest Landscape Restoration Program'' to develop, select, and fund 
landscape-scale forest restoration projects on Federal lands. This 
would include 10 collaborative forest restoration projects annually on 
a landscape-scale of at least 50,000 acres of Federal lands.
  While there is more discussion to be had on the particulars, I think 
that the framework of this measure addresses some fundamental and 
critical concepts.
  First and foremost, this bill at its core focuses on restoring the 
ecological integrity of our Federal lands. Restoration proposals must 
address a number of key ecological restoration components, including 
improving fish and wildlife habitat, improving water quality, 
maintaining and decommissioning roads, and addressing invasive species 
problems.
  Second, this bill is built around a collaborative process. 
Collaboration is not only required for the development of restoration 
proposals, but continues through implementation, playing a key role in 
project execution, monitoring and reporting. By requiring that forest 
restoration follows a collaborative process, we are ensuring that 
people work together on the future of our Nation's public lands.
  Third, this bill will also reduce the threat of wildland fire and 
control escalating fire management costs. Restoration proposals must 
address forest thinning to reduce hazardous fuels, and also analyze the 
anticipated reductions in wildfire management costs.
  Lastly, this bill encourages the use of forest restoration byproducts 
to foster local economic development. Byproducts from forest 
restoration can be used in a variety of ways, such as for woody biomass 
energy, pellets for home heating, value-added products, and more. This 
bill encourages biomass utilization and development of small businesses 
in rural public land communities. Furthermore, in order for a forest 
restoration project to be eligible, the landscape must be accessible by 
existing or proposed wood-processing infrastructure.
  I am introducing this bill as a companion measure to a Senate bill 
introduced by Senator Bingaman. I introduce this measure today as a 
means to work with my colleagues in the other body and move this 
process along. I certainly realize that forest legislation in 
particular takes considerable work to craft. I therefore introduce this 
measure today not as a final product, but as the first step forward in 
a process. I look forward to gathering information and hearing more 
about this important topic as we work together on this measure.
  Madam Speaker, the American people treasure their public lands and 
care deeply about their future. Our Federal lands are in need of 
ecological restoration, which would help us accomplish the goals of 
restoring the ecological integrity of our Federal lands, reducing the 
threat of wildland fire, fostering community collaboration and 
involvement, and creating jobs in rural communities.

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