[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 1 (Wednesday, January 5, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E6]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     THE ANGELES AND SAN BERNARDINO NATIONAL FORESTS PROTECTION ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. DAVID DREIER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, January 5, 2011

  Mr. DREIER. Mr. Speaker, I have the honor of representing the 
Foothill communities at the base of the San Gabriel Mountains. Included 
in my district are the Angeles and the San Bernardino National Forests. 
These National Forests are two of the most widely visited forests in 
the Nation. In addition, they provide over 30 percent of the drinking 
water for Los Angeles County alone. Unfortunately, this area is also 
prone to devastating wildfires. Ensuring the public safety of our first 
responders and residents remains a top priority of mine. That is why I 
have been working for over a year with multiple parties on a proposal 
to assist our firefighters and preserve recreational activities in the 
region.
  It is also vital that we continue to care for our natural resources. 
The Angeles and San Bernardino National Forests Protection Act, which I 
am introducing today, adds approximately 17,700 acres of forest lands 
to the Cucamonga and Sheep Mountain Wilderness Areas. With their close 
proximity to dozens of communities, the Angeles and San Bernardino 
National Forests provide residents with an opportunity to easily enjoy 
the public lands in their own backyard. It is my hope that this 
legislation will protect this area for the benefit of future 
generations.
  Throughout this entire process, my number one focus has been to 
protect our firefighters and other first responders who are responsible 
for keeping lives, homes and communities safe from approaching fires. I 
have worked closely with the Los Angeles and the San Bernardino County 
fire departments and have incorporated their suggestions on how we can 
make their job easier and safer. I am pleased that this legislation has 
the support of both the Los Angeles County and the San Bernardino 
County fire departments as well as the support of local fire chiefs. I 
will continue to work with our fire departments to ensure they have the 
resources needed to do their job as safely and effectively as possible.
  This legislation also calls on the Forest Service to reduce the 
severe maintenance backlog that exists in both the Angeles and San 
Bernardino National Forests and to restore valuable recreational 
opportunities that were lost in the devastating 2009 Station Fire. 
Numerous facilities and trail markers were damaged during this fire and 
my legislation calls on the Forest Service to restore the facilities 
impacted in the Station Fire. This will allow individuals and families 
to enjoy our public lands for many years to come.
  I also want to take this opportunity to note that this legislation 
will not impact any existing private property or water rights in this 
area. Multiple recreational uses, including horseback riding as well as 
hiking currently occur in these National Forests and these activities 
must be allowed to continue.
  As this legislation works its way through the legislative process, I 
will keep working with all of the interested parties to ensure that our 
first responders can safely and securely protect our communities from 
forest fires while also preserving recreational opportunities for 
everyone.

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