1993 RESOLUTIONS
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| 1993
FWOC RESOLUTION #17 |
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_GIANT SEQUOIA NATIONAL FOREST PRESERVE_
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| More than half of the
world's supply of giant sequoias (Sequoiadendron giganteum) are
contained in groves within California's Sequoia and Sierra National
Forests. These huge and majestic trees, up to 3,000 years
old, are not now protected by law from timber harvesting. The
USDA Forest Service has permitted extensive logging of these trees
during the past ten years. Although recent changes in Forest
Service policies have temporarily stopped logging in these groves,
adjacent timber harvesting has been allowed. This has caused the
loss of some additional sequoias and the endangerment of those
remaining through exposure to wind throw and soil erosion. Forest
Service policies that are not specifically required by law can be
easily changed. Thus, the best way to ensure permanent protection
for these magnificent and irreplaceable trees is to prohibit by law any timber
harvesting within the Sequoia groves and in the surrounding timbered
areas. |
| House Resolution #2153,
introduced into the U.S. House of Representatives on May 19, 1993 by
Rep. George E. Brown, Jr. (D. Calif.) and entitled "Giant Sequoia
Preservation Act of 1993", provides this much needed protection.
As of August 25, 1993, this bill had approximately 40 co-sponsors
with more being added. key provisions of this bill are; |
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1. Would preserve and
restore parts of the Giant Sequoia ecosystem that are not now protected
as parts of national parks, wilderness area, and other special land
reserves by establishing the Giant Sequoia National Forest Preserve
consisting of 442,425 acres taken from Sequoia and Sierra National
Forests.
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2. Puts an end to the
below-cost timber sales for the U.S. Forest Service in Seqouia National
Forest, which cost U.S. taxpayers over $6 million annually over and
above administrative costs to run the forest.
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3. Defines a National
Forest Preserve as forested public land dedicated for scientific study,
recreational activity, and/or environmental, protection and requires
the Secretary of Agriculture to recommend to Congress and the President
on the establishment of other national Forest Preserves.
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4. Establish a
Scientific Advisory Board to make recommendations to the Secretary of
Agriculture on measures needed to protect and manage natural and
scientific resources in the Preserve and to develop plans for fire
management, scientific study, forest regeneration, recreational
use, and technical matters.
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5. Allows for
recreational vehicle use of existing roads. Established trails
for hikers, mountain bikers, and the disabled.
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6. Allows for hunting
and fishing.
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7. Prohibits timber
cutting except for purposes of scientific study and fire control.
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8. Prohibits mining
and geothermal exploration and extraction in the Preserve.
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9. Provides for
yearly federal payments to local political subdivisions for support of
education and other purposes. Payments are equivalent to amounts
that would be paid as taxes on parcels of private timber land.
Provides a mechanism for arbitration in disputes between the Secretary
and local governments with regard to the tax-equivalency amount.
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10. Established a
community assistance task force to help communities an citizens
affected by establishment of the Preserve. Allows for loans and
grants to communities for economic diversification and job training,
counseling, and placement for displaced workers.
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| Item #3 above would allow
similar protection to be provided for significant stands of timber in
other national forests. |
| The Federation of
Western
Outdoor Clubs strongly urges a companion bill to HR#2153 be introduced
promptly in the U.S. Senate by one of California's senators. Sen.
Barbara Boxer or Sen. Diane Feinstein, and that early passage of both
bills be achieved. The FWOC also asks each of its member clubs
and its individual members to write to the senators and representatives
of their respective states urging support for these bills and their
swift passage. This will ensure that these great and beautiful
trees on public property are no longer threatened by |
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