the Sandy City Council has unanimously endorsed the legislation for a small rural community

This legislation, as proposed, impacts roughly 460 miles of snowmobile trails.

I think, Mr. Chairman, I would like to be courteous to Senator Ensign and let him go.

So my view is, let's figure out where to put some of the matrix lands when we take it away from this.

I want each one of you to know that we will continue to work with you to try, with a delegation, to get a balanced bill.

This is a logic-free zone in Washington.

I would like to commend Senator Wyden for his acknowledgment of this and recognizing it by including over 120 miles of mountain-bike trails within this wilderness designation.

If mediation this week fails, and the Biscuit recovery gets tied into a judicial slipknot, I will advance legislation as a solution.

The real issue here is that Americans want green forests, not blackened ones.

These things need to be going in the same direction and not at cross purposes.

I think it is an excellent bill, and I intend to work with Senators Smith and Craig and all of our colleagues here to see if we can move it just as quickly as possible.

We will work closely with you.

with all due respect, my judgment is, we're just not going to increase logging on Federal lands in the Mount Hood Wilderness Area.

Well, we will work with you on that. I can just tell you--Senator Smith knows--there is just a ton of economic hurt out there.

Would you like me to remove the thinning provisions that I put in, from my legislation?

It's a common misunderstanding that the only areas suitable for wilderness are those that are pristine, never touched by man.

This is, of course, a momentous year for wilderness in our State.

I thank you and Senator Craig for holding this hearing.