 |
| Congressman Walden announces the introduction of the Forest Emergency Recovery and Research Act. |
As a representative of a congressional district that is home to nine 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.
SMARTER FOREST POLICY
While Congressman Walden no longer chairs the forests and forest health subcommittee due to the change in majority leadership, he has nonetheless gathered bipartisan support to begin the effort to update the popular Healthy Forest Restoration Act so federal forest managers can actively manage our forests to reduce catastrophic fire and improve forest health.
Many areas of Oregon have been devastated by mill closures after changes to federal forest policy greatly constricted how much timber could be produced on federal land. Congressman Walden believes that with simple, commonsense changes to federal forest policy, we can thin dangerously overstocked forests, using the byproducts for biomass energy production, creating a new industry for rural Oregon.
The end result would be less catastrophic fire, less carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, healthier forests, less reliance on foreign energy, and most importantly jobs for rural Oregonians.
Throughout the last three years, Congressman Walden has worked diligently on the issue of restoring forests following catastrophic events. As chair of the Subcommittee on Forests and Forest Health in the 109th Congress, he heard from many expert witnesses about the need for timely and responsible management in federal forests following devastation caused by catastrophic events. Congressman Walden also led the bipartisan passage of the Forest Emergency Recovery and Research Act in 2006. 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. |
