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REP. HERSETH HOSTS FIELD HEARING ON FOREST ISSUES

Forests and Forest Health Subcommittee Chairman Rep. Greg Walden (R-OR) Joins Herseth and Local Officials to Discuss Black Hills Forest Policy

August 30, 2005, Hill City, SD – U.S. Rep. Stephanie Herseth today welcomed Rep. Greg Walden (R-OR), chairman of the House Resources Subcommittee on Forests and Forestry for a Field Hearing on issues critical to Black Hills National Forest.

The hearing, held in the Hill City High School Theater, covered a range of topics affecting the health and management of Black Hills National Forest including preventing wildfire, implementation of the Healthy Forests Restoration Act, and recovery and restoration efforts after fires have occurred.

Herseth, who serves on the Resources Committee and its Subcommittee on Forests and Forest Health said, “Today’s hearing was informative and useful to the Chairman and me as we seek to craft forest policy that makes sense for the varied economic, recreational and environmental interests surrounding Black Hills National Forest. This forest is an irreplaceable and invaluable part of South Dakota, and I look forward to continuing to work with Chairman Walden on issues that affect the Black Hills.”

“Our national forests are treasures. As lawmakers, we have a responsibility to ensure that policies we enact allow for effective and efficient management that will create and sustain the health of our forestlands, including the Black Hills National Forest,” said Subcommittee Chairman Walden. “This hearing afforded us the opportunity to hear firsthand from those who not only make a living on the land and those who manage it, but also from those who enjoy recreating in our federal forests. I look forward to continuing my work with Congresswoman Herseth and our colleagues on the Forest and Forest Health Subcommittee to ensure that our forests are green, not black, and are sustained for generations to come.”
 
Witnesses giving testimony at the hearing included Rick Cables, Regional Forester, Region 2, Craig Bobzien, Black Hills National Forest Supervisor; June Thormodsgard Chief Scientist for Land Sciences US Geological Survey, DOI; Larry Gabriel, South Dakota Secretary of Agriculture; Jim Neiman, Neiman Sawmills; Jim Margadant, Sierra Club; Tim Creal, Custer School District; Tom Troxel, Black Hills Forest Resource Association; and John Ball, Department of Horticulture, Forestry, Landscape, and Parks.

Testimony from the hearing will be posted at http://resourcescommittee.house.gov/archives/109/ffh/index.htm

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