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| Congressman Walden announces the introduction of the Forest Emergency Recovery and Research Act. |
RECOVERING AMERICA'S FORESTS FOLLOWING CATASTROPHIC EVENTS
As Chairman of the Resources Subcommittee on Forests and Forest Health and the representative of a congressional district that is home to 9 national forests, Congressman Walden understands just how important the health, vitality, and sustainability of our forestlands are - not only for the present, but for generations to come. American's forestlands are national treasures that provide habitat and recreational opportunities and are a resource that can help drive local economies.
Throughout the last two years, Congressman Walden has worked diligently on the issue of restoring forests following catastrophic events. In his subcommittee, Walden has heard from many expert witnesses during eight hearings about the need for timely and responsible management in federal forests following devastation caused by catastrophic events. While forest fire is most familiar to the West, other events that damage forestlands across the country - such as ice storms, hurricanes and windstorms - can also cause severe destruction.
As a result of these events, nearly one million acres of federal forestland is currently in need of reforestation, a number which is rising according to a recent report released by the nonpartisan Government Accountability Office.
Aside from preventing additional reforestation backlog, timely action is needed in federal forests to prevent dead and dying timber from creating excessive fuel loads for future wildfire, becoming overcome with bug infestation and losing all economic value that could help create jobs and support local economies.
Inaction in forests following these catastrophic events may be appropriate in some cases, but in many, it is simply irresponsible. We must give federal land managers the tools and resources necessary to become the best possible stewards of our lands and the ability to expeditiously recover damaged forests is a component of this.
To address the tremendous need for swift and responsible action in forests following catastrophic events, Congressman Walden introduced a piece of common-sense, bipartisan legislation that would not only help land managers achieve forest management objectives, but would restore and preserve the environmental health of national forests for future generations to come while taking advantage of economic benefits dead trees can provide.
The Forest Emergency Recovery & Research Act, H.R. 4200, immediately earned broad bipartisan support from Members of Congress representing diverse parts of our nation due to its smart and responsible approach to post-catastrophic forest recovery and the research needed on these lands. Walden introduced H.R. 4200 with Congressman Brian Baird (D-WA), Congresswoman Stephanie Herseth (D-SD), and Congressman Wayne Gilchrest (R-MD).
FACT vs. FICTION: Read the facts about H.R. 4200, not the misleading and false information floating around.
What Newspapers are Saying:
The Forest Emergency Recovery and Research Act:
Testimony and Opinion Pieces in Support of The Forest Emergency Recovery and Research Act:
Forest Service Chief Dale Bosworth
U.S. Department of the Interior
Dr. Hal Salwasser, Dean - OSU College of Forestry
Jim Brown, Oregon State Forester 1986-2003
R. Max Peterson, Chief Emeritus - USDA Forest Service
Support for the Forest Emergency Recovery and Research Act:
Allegheny Hardwood Utilization Group
American Forest Resource Council
American Forest & Paper Association
American Motorcyclist Association
Archery Trade Association
Arkansas Forestry Association
Associated Oregon Counties
Bear Trust International
Boise Wood Products
Boone and Crockett Club
Bowhunting Preservation Alliance
California Forestry Association
Campfire Club of America
Central Oregon Builders Association
Columbia Helicopters
Colusa County, California, Board of Education
Communities for Healthy Forests
Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs
Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation
Conservation Force
Croman Corp.
Dallas Safari Club
Deschutes County, OR
Enterprise Unlimited.
Federal Wildland Fire Service Association
Ferguson Mangement Company
Forest Industries Association Council
Foundation for North American Wild Sheep
Grayback Forestry
GSP, Inc.
Houston Safari Club
Idaho Women in Timber
International Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies
Intermountain Forest Association
Louisiana Forestry Association
Minnesota Forest Industries
Minnesota Timber Producers Association
Montana Logging Association
National Association of Conservation Districts
National Association of Counties
National Association of Forest Service Retirees
Natoinal Association of Home Builders
National Associaiton of State Foresters
National Environmental Fuels Association
National Forest Counties & Schools Coalition
National Rifle Association
National Rural Electric Cooperatives Association
National Shooting Sports Foundation
National Trappers Association
National Wild Turkey Federation
New Hampshire Timberland Owners Association
North American Bear Foundation
North American Deck and Railing Association
Northwest Contract Firefighters Association
Northwest Timber Fallers Association
Oregon Cattlemen's Association
Oregon Firefighting Contractors Association
Oregon Home Builders Association
Oregon Restaurant Association
Pacific Wildfire International
PatRick Corp.
Pitkin County, CO
Placer County, CA
Pulp and Paperwork Resourc Council
Quality Deer Management Association
Railway Tie Association
Regional Council of Rural Counties
Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation
Ruffed Grouse Society
Safari Club International
Southern Appalachian Multi-Use Council
Southern Forest Products Association
Southern Pressure Treaters Association
Strike Back
The Chamber of Medford/Jackson County
The Hardwood Federation
Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership
Western Counties Alliance
Western Legislative Forestry Task Force
Whitetails Unlimited
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