Hawaii National Forest Study

Floor Speech

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Mr. SOTO. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 297) to require the Secretary of Agriculture to conduct a study on the establishment of, and the potential land that could be included in, a unit of the National Forest System in the State of Hawaii, and for other purposes.

The Clerk read the title of the bill.

The text of the bill is as follows: H.R. 297

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

(a) Definitions.--In this section:

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

(2) Study area.--The term ``study area'' means the islands of Hawaii, Maui, Molokai, Lanai, Oahu, and Kauai in the State of Hawaii.

(b) Study.--

(1) In general.--The Secretary shall conduct a study--

(A) to determine the suitability and feasibility of establishing a unit of the National Forest System in the study area; and

(B) to identify available land within the study area that could be included in the unit described in subparagraph (A).

(2) Coordination and consultation.--In conducting the study under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall--

(A) coordinate with the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources; and

(B) consult with the Hawaii Department of Agriculture and other interested governmental entities, private and nonprofit organizations, and any interested individuals.

(3) Contents.--In conducting the study under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall--

(A) consider unique vegetation types that occur in the study area and that should be targeted for inclusion in the unit of the National Forest System described in paragraph (1)(A);

(B) evaluate the ability of the Secretary--

(i) to improve and protect forest areas within the study area; and

(ii) to secure favorable water flows within the study area;

(C) determine whether the unit of the National Forest System described in paragraph (1)(A) would expand, enhance, or duplicate--

(i) resource protection; and

(ii) visitor-use opportunities;

(D) consider parcels of an appropriate size or location to be capable of economical administration as part of the National Forest System separately or jointly with the other land identified under paragraph (1)(B);

(E) evaluate the willingness of landowners to sell or transfer land in the study area to the Secretary;

(F) evaluate the suitability of land in the study area for potential selection and designation as a research natural area or an experimental forest;

(G) identify cost estimates for any Federal acquisition, development, operation, and maintenance that would be needed to establish the unit of the National Forest System described in paragraph (1)(A); and

(H) consider other alternatives for the conservation, protection, and use of areas within the study area by the Federal Government, State or local government entities, or private and nonprofit organizations.

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

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

(1) the results of the study; and

(2) any conclusions and recommendations of the Secretary.
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Mr. SOTO. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 297, sponsored by my Committee on Natural Resources' colleague, Representative Ed Case of Hawaii.

Madam Speaker, 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 one of the most ecologically diverse places in the world, home to 10 of the 13 world climate zones, with ecosystems ranging from the deserts to tropics, where plants and animals that found their way to Hawaii evolved like nowhere else. The study would consider how a Hawaii national forest could contribute to the conservation of this biodiversity not found elsewhere in the National Forest System.

Madam Speaker, H.R. 297 provides the first step in establishing a national forest in Hawaii and a basis for bringing together local stakeholders to move forward the conversation on how to responsibly establish a national forest in Hawaii that benefits both Hawaii's island communities as well as the National Forest Service.

Madam Speaker, as we continue to work towards the Biden administration's effort to protect 30 percent of U.S. lands and waters by 2030, and identify solutions to our climate and biodiversity crises, I hope we can all see the value in taking this step towards protecting Hawaii's unique forest resources and its native species.

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Mr. SOTO. Madam Speaker, I thank the ranking member for his positive comments.

Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Hawaii (Mr. Case).

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Mr. SOTO. Madam Speaker, I thank the ranking member, Mr. Westerman from Arkansas, for his positive comments and bipartisan spirit, and I thank Mr. Case.

Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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