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MOVING FORWARD TO PROTECT ROADLESS AREAS IN AMERICA'S NATIONAL FORESTS -- HON. STEPHEN HORN (Extensions of Remarks - October 14, 1999)

[Page: E2096]  GPO's PDF
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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
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[Page: E2097]  GPO's PDF
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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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