[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 107 (Friday, July 10, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1040]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              H.R. 2647--THE RESILIENT FEDERAL FORESTS ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. EARL BLUMENAUER

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, July 10, 2015

  Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Speaker, yesterday, I voted against H.R. 2647, 
the Resilient Federal Forests Act. There are provisions in this bill 
that I support, such as preventing the practice of ``fire borrowing,'' 
in which the Forest Service and the Department of the Interior pull 
funding from accounts meant for prevention of fire and use it to 
suppress fires. There are also provisions related to the Secure Rural 
Schools program that many of my colleagues in the Oregon delegation 
worked hard to include, and I appreciate their efforts.
  I opposed the legislation overall. It goes too far in rolling back 
important environmental protections, beyond what is necessary to have a 
balanced approach. I am hopeful as this legislation works its way 
through the process that it is toned down and focused.

                          ____________________