|
WASHINGTON, DC -- Today the U.S. House of Representatives debated H.R. 4200, legislation to change forest management policy on federal lands. Congressman David Wu, along with the other Democratic members of the Oregon delegation, voted against the legislation.
Following today's debate, Congressman Wu issued the statement below:
"While I support thinning and logging as forest management tools on public lands, I am very concerned this bill goes too far.
"In 2005, 35% of the logging volume on our national forests came from timber salvage, all completed under existing policies that I have supported in the past. While they can be improved, the avenues currently in place do work.
"This legislation changes the current system by circumventing important laws such as the National Environmental Policy Act, the Endangered Species Act, the Clean Water Act and the National Historic Preservation Act.
"It is also troubling that this legislation would permit roads on lands presently designated as 'roadless.' I believe we must continue the balance between those lands we manage for harvesting and those we manage to preserve our natural heritage, to protect critical habitat and to keep our water clean.
"Most importantly, any changes to existing thinning and logging practices should be based on sound science. Recent research at Oregon State University has called into question whether salvage logging is contrary to improving forest health."
### |
