[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 145 (1999), Part 18]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 25498]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



 MOVING FORWARD TO PROTECT ROADLESS AREAS IN AMERICA'S NATIONAL FORESTS

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                           HON. STEPHEN HORN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 14, 1999

  Mr. HORN. Mr. Speaker, the effort to protect as much as 40 million 
acres of roadless area throughout our National Forest System took an 
important step forward this week. The President has directed the 
National Forest Service to prepare an environmental analysis on how 
best to conserve and safeguard the roadless areas in numerous forests 
across our nation.
  While approximately 60 million acres in our National Forest System 
remain untouched, these unspoiled areas have been left unprotected from 
future mining, logging, and roadbuilding. Without the development of a 
science-based policy for managing roadless areas, these unspoiled lands 
may become susceptible to a wide variety of ecological problems. Some 
of the problems include: an increased frequency of flooding and 
landslides; increased habitat fragmentation; increased frequency of 
fires as a result of access; and invasion of exotic species that 
displace native species.
  On June 18, 1999, 168 Members of the House joined with me and 
Representative Hinchey in urging the President, to start taking 
decisive action to protect roadless areas in all national forests from 
logging, mining, and other destructive activities. Over half of the 
Forest Service's 191 million acres are presently available for logging, 
mining, drilling for oil and gas, and other types of development. These 
scarce roadless areas provide essential habitat for fish and wildlife, 
protect the greatest reserves of diverse plant life, and offer our 
nation's people an abundant supply of clean drinking water and 
opportunities for outdoor recreational activities. Clearly, these 
natural resources must be protected.
  While the current moratorium on road building in roadless areas of 
the Forest Service's lands provides temporary protection from further 
development, future management policies and protection efforts must be 
set in motion to safeguard these pristine areas. President Clinton's 
announcement today is a good step toward a national policy that will 
safeguard our roadless areas so that these national treasures are not 
lost, and can be enjoyed by future generations. Furthermore, I 
encourage the public to take an active role in the development of a 
long-term protection plan. Congress also must be ready and willing to 
engage in a constructive and positive debate to shape a sound new 
approach to the nation's forests.

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