Hawai'i National Forest Study

Floor Speech

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. CASE. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 7045) to require the Secretary of Agriculture to conduct a study on lands that could be included in a National Forest in Hawai'i, and for other purposes.

The Clerk read the title of the bill.

The text of the bill is as follows: H.R. 7045

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. HAWAI'I NATIONAL FOREST STUDY.

(a) Purpose.--The purpose of this Act is to identify lands within the study area that would--

(1) support the conservation of biodiversity not found elsewhere in the National Forest System;

(2) support or expand the research mission of the Institute of Pacific Islands Forestry;

(3) promote shared stewardship with local communities, including indigenous populations, the State of Hawai'i, and non-profit groups; and

(4) support or expand the international programs of the Forest Service related to conservation of forest ecosystems, sustainable forestry, protection of threatened, endangered, and migratory species, controlling the spread of invasive species, international reforestation, and other forest restoration efforts.

(b) Study Required.--

(1) In general.--Not later than 3 years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall conduct a study to identify available land within the study area that could be included in a National Forest in Hawai'i.

(2) Coordination requirement.--The Secretary shall conduct the study under paragraph (1) in coordination the Hawai'i Department of Land and Natural Resources.

(3) Consultation requirement.--In carrying out the study under paragraph (1), the Secretary--

(A) shall consult with--

(i) the Hawai'i Department of Land and Natural Resources; and

(ii) the Hawai'i Department of Agriculture; and

(B) may consult with such other governmental or nonprofit entities as the Secretary determines appropriate.

(4) Report.--Not later than 3 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit a report to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate and the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives that identifies--

(A) available land within the study area that could be included in a National Forest in Hawai'i;

(B) the ownership of the land within the study area;

(C) any undeveloped land in the study area that may be at risk of development; and

(D) any actions that could be carried out to preserve the open and undeveloped character of the land within the study area.

(c) Effect.--Nothing in this section authorizes the Secretary to take any action that would affect the use of any land not owned by the United States.

(d) Definitions.--In this section:

(1) Available land.--The term ``available land'' means any land within the study areas that is--

(A) Federally owned;

(B) managed by a Federal land management agency in partnership with a non-Federal entity; or

(C) land not described in subparagraph (A) or (B) that fulfills the purpose of this section, as determined by the Secretary.

(2) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of Agriculture, acting through the Chief of the Forest Service.

(3) Study area.--The term ``study area'' means the islands of Hawai'i, Maui, Moloka'i, Lana'i, O'ahu and Kaua'i in the State of Hawai'i.

(4) Undeveloped land.--The term ``undeveloped land'' means land--

(A) that is located within the study area;

(B) that is free or primarily free of structures; and

(C) the development of which is likely to affect adversely the scenic, research, wildlife, or recreational value of the study area.
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. CASE. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of my bill, H.R. 7045. This legislation would require the Secretary of Agriculture, in coordination with the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources, to conduct a study to identify lands in the State of Hawaii that merit inclusion in the National Forest System.

Hawaii is the most isolated island chain and one of the most ecologically diverse places in the world. Within these constrained borders, we have 10 of the 13 world climate zones and ecosystems, ranging from the deserts to the tropics, where plants and animals that found their way to Hawaii evolved like nowhere else. The study would consider how a Hawaii national forest, which we do not currently have, could contribute to the conservation of this biodiversity not found elsewhere in the National Forest System while supporting the research mission of the Institute of Pacific Islands Forestry.

My bill provides the first step in establishing a national forest in Hawaii. It would help inventory where Hawaii's native koa, ohia, and sandalwood forests can be conserved and expanded for cultural and commercial practices. It would help identify where cultural sites could be better conserved and access expanded to the public and practitioners. It would help provide the basis to bring together local stakeholders to move forward the conversation of how to responsibly establish a national forest in Hawaii in a manner that will benefit both Hawaii's island communities and the National Forest Service.

As we continue to identify solutions to our climate and biodiversity crises, I hope we can all see the value in taking this step toward protecting Hawaii's unique forest resources and our native species.

Madam Speaker, I strongly urge my colleagues to support this bill.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. CASE. I yield to the gentleman from Utah.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. CASE. Yes.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. CASE. Madam Speaker, I accept the offer of Mr. Ranking Member. I will look the gentleman up in 20 years.

Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Source