Bart Stupak: “as cosponsor of H.R. 1904, the Healthy Forest Restoration Act of 2003, I rise in support of this legislation because of…”

“as cosponsor of H.R. 1904, the Healthy Forest Restoration Act of 2003, I rise in support of this legislation because of the relief it provides to combat the challenges facing our forest system today. From hazardous fuel reduction to insect and disease infestation research, this bill gives our forest managers and our private citizens the money and the technical assistance they need to help bring our forests back to health. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 1904 will work to alleviate the fire hazards that currently plague our forests. As evident by the rampant spread of the wildfires that recently ravaged Southern California, our Nation's forest system is overwhelmed with excess brush and foliage which could fuel catastrophic wildfires. This bill provides thinning programs for up to 20 million acres of at-risk lands near communities and their water supplies, at-risk lands that serve as habitat for threatened and endangered species, and at-risk land that is particularly susceptible to disease or insect infestation. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 1904 also provides money and technical assistance to stop the growing problem of insect and disease infestation.”