[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 204 (Thursday, December 3, 2020)]
[House]
[Pages H6127-H6128]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1915
                     HAWAI'I NATIONAL FOREST STUDY

  Mr. CASE. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 7045) to require the Secretary of Agriculture to conduct a 
study on lands that could be included in a National Forest in Hawai'i, 
and for other purposes.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 7045

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. HAWAI'I NATIONAL FOREST STUDY.

       (a) Purpose.--The purpose of this Act is to identify lands 
     within the study area that would--
       (1) support the conservation of biodiversity not found 
     elsewhere in the National Forest System;
       (2) support or expand the research mission of the Institute 
     of Pacific Islands Forestry;
       (3) promote shared stewardship with local communities, 
     including indigenous populations, the State of Hawai'i, and 
     non-profit groups; and
       (4) support or expand the international programs of the 
     Forest Service related to conservation of forest ecosystems, 
     sustainable forestry, protection of threatened, endangered, 
     and migratory species, controlling the spread of invasive 
     species, international reforestation, and other forest 
     restoration efforts.
       (b) Study Required.--
       (1) In general.--Not later than 3 years after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall conduct a 
     study to identify available land within the study area that 
     could be included in a National Forest in Hawai'i.
       (2) Coordination requirement.--The Secretary shall conduct 
     the study under paragraph (1) in coordination the Hawai'i 
     Department of Land and Natural Resources.
       (3) Consultation requirement.--In carrying out the study 
     under paragraph (1), the Secretary--
       (A) shall consult with--
       (i) the Hawai'i Department of Land and Natural Resources; 
     and
       (ii) the Hawai'i Department of Agriculture; and
       (B) may consult with such other governmental or nonprofit 
     entities as the Secretary determines appropriate.
       (4) Report.--Not later than 3 years after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit a report to 
     the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate 
     and the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of 
     Representatives that identifies--
       (A) available land within the study area that could be 
     included in a National Forest in Hawai'i;
       (B) the ownership of the land within the study area;
       (C) any undeveloped land in the study area that may be at 
     risk of development; and
       (D) any actions that could be carried out to preserve the 
     open and undeveloped character of the land within the study 
     area.
       (c) Effect.--Nothing in this section authorizes the 
     Secretary to take any action that would affect the use of any 
     land not owned by the United States.
       (d) Definitions.--In this section:
       (1) Available land.--The term ``available land'' means any 
     land within the study areas that is--

[[Page H6128]]

       (A) Federally owned;
       (B) managed by a Federal land management agency in 
     partnership with a non-Federal entity; or
       (C) land not described in subparagraph (A) or (B) that 
     fulfills the purpose of this section, as determined by the 
     Secretary.
       (2) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
     of Agriculture, acting through the Chief of the Forest 
     Service.
       (3) Study area.--The term ``study area'' means the islands 
     of Hawai'i, Maui, Moloka'i, Lana'i, O'ahu and Kaua'i in the 
     State of Hawai'i.
       (4) Undeveloped land.--The term ``undeveloped land'' means 
     land--
       (A) that is located within the study area;
       (B) that is free or primarily free of structures; and
       (C) the development of which is likely to affect adversely 
     the scenic, research, wildlife, or recreational value of the 
     study area.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Hawaii (Mr. Case) and the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Bishop) each will 
control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Hawaii.


                             General Leave

  Mr. CASE. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may 
have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and 
include extraneous material on the measure under consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Hawaii?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. CASE. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of my bill, H.R. 7045. This 
legislation would require the Secretary of Agriculture, in coordination 
with the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources, to conduct a 
study to identify lands in the State of Hawaii that merit inclusion in 
the National Forest System.
  Hawaii is the most isolated island chain and one of the most 
ecologically diverse places in the world. Within these constrained 
borders, we have 10 of the 13 world climate zones and ecosystems, 
ranging from the deserts to the tropics, where plants and animals that 
found their way to Hawaii evolved like nowhere else. The study would 
consider how a Hawaii national forest, which we do not currently have, 
could contribute to the conservation of this biodiversity not found 
elsewhere in the National Forest System while supporting the research 
mission of the Institute of Pacific Islands Forestry.
  My bill provides the first step in establishing a national forest in 
Hawaii. It would help inventory where Hawaii's native koa, ohia, and 
sandalwood forests can be conserved and expanded for cultural and 
commercial practices. It would help identify where cultural sites could 
be better conserved and access expanded to the public and 
practitioners. It would help provide the basis to bring together local 
stakeholders to move forward the conversation of how to responsibly 
establish a national forest in Hawaii in a manner that will benefit 
both Hawaii's island communities and the National Forest Service.
  As we continue to identify solutions to our climate and biodiversity 
crises, I hope we can all see the value in taking this step toward 
protecting Hawaii's unique forest resources and our native species.
  Madam Speaker, I strongly urge my colleagues to support this bill.
  Mr. BISHOP of Utah. Will the gentleman yield?
  Mr. CASE. I yield to the gentleman from Utah.
  Mr. BISHOP of Utah. Is the gentleman sure he really wants the Federal 
Government having a forest in his place?
  Mr. CASE. Yes.
  Mr. BISHOP of Utah. Twenty years from now, come back here, and we 
will tell the gentleman we told him so.
  Madam Speaker, I have no objections to the bill, and I yield back the 
balance of my time.
  Mr. CASE. Madam Speaker, I accept the offer of Mr. Ranking Member. I 
will look the gentleman up in 20 years.
  Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Hawaii (Mr. Case) that the House suspend the rules and 
pass the bill, H.R. 7045.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the bill was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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