Fix Our Forests Act

Floor Speech

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Mr. LaLOTA. Mr. Chair, I thank the chairman for his leadership.

Mr. Chairman, the southern pine beetle, a pest no larger than a grain of rice, has emerged as one of the most significant threats to our forests in the eastern United States. Nowhere is this issue more evident than in my home district on Long Island, where Suffolk County has been hit especially hard.

Since the pine beetle first appeared on Long Island in 2014, it has destroyed approximately 5,000 acres of forest, including an estimated 800 acres this year alone.

The pine barrens region in Suffolk County is suffering devastation, as countless once-green trees have turned yellow and orange, clear evidence that they are dying. This damage doesn't just affect the trees. It threatens an ecosystem that is home to dozens of animals and plants, including endangered species.

These forests are crucial for preserving clean drinking water, and if we don't take action now, we risk irreparable harm to this vital resource. State officials have been working tirelessly to manage the spread of the beetle through surveillance and the removal of dead and infested trees. However, this problem is growing exponentially due to warmer winters and drought conditions, and we need a more comprehensive approach to understand and combat this threat.

That is why my amendment here today is so important.

Mr. Chairman, my commonsense amendment would direct the Secretary of Agriculture to conduct a comprehensive study on the impact of beetle infestations in the northeastern region of the United States.

The detailed study will investigate the causes, effects, and potential solutions to this growing problem, with a particular focus on our forests in the northeast.

This amendment is about more than just studying a pest. It is about protecting the natural heritage of the northeast, securing clean water, and ensuring the health and resiliency of our forests for future generations.

A comprehensive study will help us understand why these beetles have moved north and how we can mitigate their impact. It will provide the scientific foundation needed to implement effective management strategies, preserve our forests, and maintain the ecological balance that is so vital to the region.

Mr. Chair, I thank Chairman Westerman for his support on this amendment and his leadership on the Fix Our Forests Act, and I urge my colleagues to support this commonsense amendment.

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Mr. LaLOTA. Mr. Chair, I yield to the gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Westerman).

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Mr. LaLOTA. Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.

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