U.S. Representative Diana DeGette Votes Against Destructive Republican Forest Bill

U.S. Representative Diana DeGette Votes Against Destructive Republican Forest Bill

Legislation needlessly opens forests to logging

Today, U.S. Representative Diana DeGette (D-CO) voted against the Forests Emergency Recovery and Research Act (H.R. 4200).

"This bill is a solution in search of a problem," said Rep. DeGette. "The Forest Service already has the authority to conduct salvage timber sales and does not need further exemptions from our landmark environmental laws to allow these projects to move forward."

H.R. 4200 would expedite logging in national forests despite widespread scientific research demonstrating that post-fire logging not only impedes forest recovery but could damage ecosystems and actually increase fire risk. The legislation would also exempt logging projects from the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), which requires meaningful public involvement and that the best available science be used in determining the appropriate course of action.

"Bypassing conservation laws, allowing destructive road-building in our national forests, and disregarding peer-reviewed science, will do nothing to protect us from wildfires," said Rep. DeGette. "As we enter a potentially destructive western fire season Congress should work to adequately fund existing fire protection and prevention programs and not play politics."

http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/co01_degette/forest.html