A Message from Congressman Adam Smith

Thank you for contacting me in opposition to forestry legislation
introduced by Rep. Greg Walden (R-OR).  I appreciated hearing
from you and would like to take a moment to respond.

The Forest Emergency Recovery and Research Act (HR 4200) has
been referred to the House Resources, Agriculture, and
Transportation and Infrastructure Committees.  Opponents argue it
incorrectly defines salvage logging as necessary to rehabilitate
forests and diverts scarce resources from proactive forest health
initiatives to reactive ones.  I am currently in the process of
evaluating this bill along with alternative forest recovery
legislation (HR 3973) introduced by Rep. Tom Udall (D-NM) and
the approach each takes to ensuring the health of our forests. 
Please be assured I will keep your comments in mind should either
of these bills come to the House floor for a vote.

Because of your interest in forest health, you may be interested to
know I have supported funding for the Forest Legacy Program. 
This program was created because our nation's forests are faced
with an increasing threat to maintain the integrity of our country's
valuable forest lands.  Intact forests supply timber products,
wildlife habitat, soil and watershed protection, aesthetics, and
recreational opportunities.  However, as these areas are fragmented
and disappear, so do the benefits they provide.  FLP is a federal
program that partners with states to protect environmentally
sensitive forest lands.

Again, thank you for taking the time to contact me.  I hope you
will not hesitate to call, write or e-mail me again in the future
anytime you have a comment or concern.