Extensions of Remarks 11353

Mr. GREEN of Wisconsin. Mr. Chairman, I submit the following resolutions for the RECORD. Whereas, our National Forests were established in the 1920’s for multiple use including soil and water protection, recreation, and timber production, and; Whereas, harvesting is an integral component of multiple-use management of forest lands, and; Whereas, it is not in the best interest of sustainable ecosystem management to ban commercial logging on National Forests, and; Whereas, the health of adjoining private and other public forest lands would be in jeopardy if National Forest lands were allowed to become overstocked and subject to insect and disease infestations, and unnecessary fuel build-up were allowed to create the potential for disastrous wild fires, and; Whereas, timber harvested on the National Forests is vital to many local and regional economies, including that of Vilas County, and; Whereas, Whereas, Wisconsin’s National Forests are not producing below cost timber sales and are not virgin forests, and; Whereas, there would be an increase in pressure to harvest County Forest Lands and private lands in the area if harvesting ceases on the National Forests within the state, and; Whereas, the State Forester of Wisconsin is also opposed to the halting of commercial logging on National Forests. Now, therefore, be it resolved, That the Vilas County Board of Supervisors is opposed to the National Forest Restoration Act and other legislative proposals which propose halting commercial logging on the National Forests. Be it further resolved, That copies of this resolution be forwarded to the Governor, to Wisconsin’s Representatives and Senators in the United States Congress, George Meyer, Secretary of the Department of Natural Resources, Gene Francisco, State Forester, the Wisconsin County Forests Association, and the President of the United States. Respectfully submitted by: Vilas County Forestry, Recreation, & Land Committee.