[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 2] [Extensions of Remarks] [Pages 1797-1798] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]FOREST LANDSCAPE RESTORATION ACT ______ HON. RAUL M. GRIJALVA of arizona in the house of representatives Thursday, February 7, 2008 Mr. GRIJALVA. Madam Speaker, today I am introducing the Forest Landscape Restoration Act. This Act establishes the ``Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration Program'' to develop, select, and fund landscape-scale forest restoration projects on Federal lands. This would include 10 collaborative forest restoration projects annually on a landscape-scale of at least 50,000 acres of Federal lands. While there is more discussion to be had on the particulars, I think that the framework of this measure addresses some fundamental and critical concepts. First and foremost, this bill at its core focuses on restoring the ecological integrity of our Federal lands. Restoration proposals must address a number of key ecological restoration components, including improving fish and wildlife habitat, improving water quality, maintaining and decommissioning roads, and addressing invasive species problems. Second, this bill is built around a collaborative process. Collaboration is not only required for the development of restoration proposals, but continues through implementation, playing a key role in project execution, monitoring and reporting. By requiring that forest restoration follows a collaborative process, we are ensuring that people work together on the future of our Nation's public lands. Third, this bill will also reduce the threat of wildland fire and control escalating fire management costs. Restoration proposals must address forest thinning to reduce hazardous fuels, and also analyze the anticipated reductions in wildfire management costs. Lastly, this bill encourages the use of forest restoration byproducts to foster local economic [[Page 1798]] development. Byproducts from forest restoration can be used in a variety of ways, such as for woody biomass energy, pellets for home heating, value-added products, and more. This bill encourages biomass utilization and development of small businesses in rural public land communities. Furthermore, in order for a forest restoration project to be eligible, the landscape must be accessible by existing or proposed wood-processing infrastructure. I am introducing this bill as a companion measure to a Senate bill introduced by Senator Bingaman. I introduce this measure today as a means to work with my colleagues in the other body and move this process along. I certainly realize that forest legislation in particular takes considerable work to craft. I therefore introduce this measure today not as a final product, but as the first step forward in a process. I look forward to gathering information and hearing more about this important topic as we work together on this measure. Madam Speaker, the American people treasure their public lands and care deeply about their future. Our Federal lands are in need of ecological restoration, which would help us accomplish the goals of restoring the ecological integrity of our Federal lands, reducing the threat of wildland fire, fostering community collaboration and involvement, and creating jobs in rural communities. ____________________