Tom Udall: “H.R. 4646 adds approximately 10,570 acres to the National Wilderness Preservation System in George Washington National…”

“H.R. 4646 adds approximately 10,570 acres to the National Wilderness Preservation System in George Washington National Forest in the State of Virginia. The two additions, the Priest and Three Ridges areas, were recommended for wilderness study in the forest management plan in 1993. The areas, within easy access of the Appalachian Trail, contain rugged terrain and spectacular mountain scenery. We are pleased to see this addition to the wilderness system. We are also pleased to see the removal of a provision allowing tree cutting and motorized use by county firefighters and rescue squads in and around wilderness areas. The Wilderness Act allows motorized use in wilderness areas only in the event of emergencies and to control fire, insects and disease. Forest Service policies allow forest supervisors to approve motorized equipment and vegetation cutting in emergencies. The removal of the provision makes H.R. 4646 consistent with the Wilderness Act. It also makes the bill identical in substance to Senator Robb's companion measure, S. 2865, which passed the Senate on October 6, 2000. If the House had chosen to take up Senator Robb's bill, it would have been on its way to the President. By choosing to take up the House version, the House is unnecessarily protracting the process and risking not getting a bill. While I regret this choice, the bill enjoys administration and widespread public support, and I urge my colleagues to support it.”