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U.S.
Senator Member: Finance, Agriculture, Energy, Ethics and Aging Committees |
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For Immediate
Release Wednesday, May 07, 2008 |
CONTACT: Stephanie Valencia – 202-494- 8790 |
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| Salazar Backed Bill to Restore Forests and Ecosystems Passes
Senate Energy Committee
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee unanimously approved legislation backed by United States Senator Ken Salazar that would fund large-scale national forest restoration projects to reduce the threat of wildfires, restore ecosystems and stimulate rural economies. The bill is sponsored by Energy Committee Chairman Senator Jeff Bingaman (D-NM) and Ranking Member Pete Domenici (R-NM). “In the Rocky Mountain West we know all too well how uncontrollable forest fires can devastate livelihoods and destroy scenic landscapes,” said Senator Salazar. “This bill provides a unique approach to restoring the health of forests and ecosystems that have been hit hard by bark beetle infestations or that are at risk of catastrophic wildfire by providing grants to restore damaged land and by encouraging the use of restoration byproducts.” The Forest Landscape Restoration Act of 2008 (S. 2593) authorizes $40 million annually for landscape-scale forest restoration projects that cover 50,000 acres or more. Competitive grants would be awarded to restoration projects that are developed in collaboration with local communities. Eligible projects must be in need of ecosystem restoration, utilize the best-available science, encourage the use of restoration byproducts such as woody biomass, and be located primarily on National Forest System land. “This bill seeks to encourage and reward the type of work that is already taking place in Colorado through organizations such as the Front Range Fuels Treatment Partnership and the Colorado Bark Beetle Cooperative who are working with the entire spectrum of stakeholders to address forest health issues. I believe these groups and their projects will be well positioned to compete for these funds when they become available,” added Salazar. The Forest Landscape Restoration Act of 2008 will now move to the full Senate for consideration.
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