Political Quotes

“Mr. Chair, I rise in support of this bipartisan amendment offered by the gentleman from California, Representative Garamendi, and the gentleman from Texas, Representative Fallon. This is a thoughtful amendment that will enable special districts to participate in the biochar research and development program established in section 301 of the bill. This amendment would also make special districts eligible to participate in the Good Neighbor Authority. Across the Nation, there are over 39,000 special districts and political subdivisions within States, such as resource conservation districts or water districts. Both the biochar and Good Neighbor Authority sections of this bill already allow participation from States, Tribes, and local governments. Providing eligibility for special districts is a commonsense change to ensure more non-Federal partners can participate in these vitally important programs that promote forest health. I particularly support expanding access for special districts to the biochar projects authorized by section 301 of the bill. Biochar is an emerging technology that has shown enormous potential as an additive to improve soil health and as a significant carbon sequestration tool, and it also helps the water retention ability of soil. A key barrier to expanding active forest management is a lack of market access for low-value hazardous fuels that must be removed from overgrown Federal forests.…”