Press Releases

Washington, D.C. (September 20, 2013) –Earlier this year, the Congressional Western Caucus held a field hearing in Denver, Colorado to discuss the pressing issue of how to empower states and local governments in the management of our forests. Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 1526, the Restoring Healthy Forests for Healthy Communities Act, to do just that. This bipartisan legislation encourages state and local involvement in the management of forest land, helps ensure sustainable funding solutions for schools, and will hold the U.S. Forest Service accountable for keeping our forests healthy.

Western Caucus Chairman Steve Pearce, Co-Chair Cynthia Lummis, and Natural Resources Committee Chairman and Western Caucus member Doc Hastings released the following statements in response to the passage of the bill:

“For far too long, our forests have been victims of neglect and mismanagement,” said Rep. Pearce. “This legislation brings common sense policies back to our forests. Catastrophic wildfires have destroyed forests across the nation because the people making the decisions about our forests are in Washington, not the surrounding communities. In addition to empowering those most affected by forest management policies, this bill increases timber production in areas already specifically identified by the Forest Service for timber harvests. This bill creates jobs, keeps our forests thriving, and helps local economies. It’s an all-around win for our forests and communities.”

“The Western Caucus has been on the front lines of this issue for years, and it is a testament to our Member’s persistence and resilience that today the House agreed that current forest management policies are unsustainable,” said Rep. Lummis.  “Timber production, wildlife protection, water quality, forest health, wildfire prevention, and ensuring county revenues cannot all happen in a vacuum, they are intertwined.  Only a coordinated, well designed forest management strategy can meet all those needs.  That is what this bill accomplishes, and I call on the Senate to take it up without delay.”

“Over a hundred years ago, the federal government made a promise to rural schools and counties to actively manage our forests. Our federal forests were designed to be multiple-use but over the years, due to federal regulations and litigation, forest management has dramatically declined. As a result, thousands of people have lost their jobs, counties lack the resources to pay for basic services and our forest became increasingly susceptible to disease and wildfire. Communities depend on the forest for their livelihoods and they cannot afford the status quo,” said Chairman Doc Hastings. “This legislation is necessary to reestablish the priority of active forest management, create jobs, promote responsible timber production, and prevent wildfires. This is a long-term solution that will put Americans back to work and restore the commitment our government made to these communities.”