DeLay: House Passes Bipartisan Protection for Healthy Forests; President's Initiative is Urgent After Last Year's Wildfires

5/20/2003

From: Stuart Roy or Jonathan Grella, 202-225-4000 both of the Office of the Majority Leader Tom DeLay web: http://www.majorityleader.gov

WASHINGTON, May 20 -- House Majority Leader Tom DeLay (R-Texas) today said damaging fire seasons have displayed the need for the president's Healthy Forests Restoration Act in order to protect and cultivate our forests. The Healthy Forest Act of 2003 passed the House today 256 - 170.

"Millions of acres of national forests, overrun with diseased trees and dry brush, are one lightning strike away from catastrophe," DeLay said. "After last year's devastating wildfires, the need for this presidential initiative is urgent."

The Healthy Forest Act of 2003 includes:

-- Procedures to allow critical forest health projects to proceed on the most threatened forest landscapes -- Directs courts to take into consideration the long term harm of inaction against the purported short term harm of forest restoration projects -- New research programs to address key forest pests that are damaging forests across the country -- Protects water quality in forested watersheds across the country -- Creates incentives for value added uses of biomass, including a renewable energy source -- Creates conservation incentives for private forest landowners to conserve and manage for sensitive wildlife species.