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National Forest Foundation Reauthorization Act of 2015

Floor Speech

Date: June 9, 2015
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Environment

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Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

I rise today in support of H.R. 2394, the National Forest Foundation Reauthorization Act of 2015.

The National Forest Foundation has a simple mission: bring people together to restore and enhance our national forests and grasslands. Through the foundation, we are able to leverage private and Federal dollars to support our Nation's great forests in a variety of ways. These include: planting trees, preserving wildlife habitat, surveying streams, restoring and maintaining trails, and the list goes on.

In recent years, the foundation has leveraged funds at over a four to one ratio and plans to continue on this success to raise at least $125 million for forest restoration activities.

Since its charter in 1993, the foundation has been essential in helping to meet the challenges the National Forest System faces. Accomplishments include: over 14,000 miles of trail restored or maintained; nearly 4.4 million trees and shrubs planted; more than 500,000 acres of fuel reduction completed or planned; over 120,000 people volunteered more than 1.5 million hours with an estimated value of $34 million; over 46,000 youth employed or engaged; approximately 80,000 acres of invasive weeds treated; over 117,000 acres of wildlife habitat restored or maintained; and more than 3,000 miles of streams surveyed or restored.

The foundation has also taken it upon itself to educate and engage the American public on the importance of our national forests as well as the natural resources found within them. It is an integral component in keeping our national forests--such as the Allegheny national forest, in my district, and dozens of other national forests around the country--viable and thriving for years to come.

Simply put, the National Forest Foundation works, and this is a commonsense reauthorization. I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes.''

I reserve the balance of my time.

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