Patrick Leahy: “while I appreciate the desire of my colleagues to complete the omnibus fiscal year 2003 appropriations bill early in the…”

“while I appreciate the desire of my colleagues to complete the omnibus fiscal year 2003 appropriations bill early in the session of this Congress, this rush to complete the bill, unfortunately, allows for the addition of certain riders that should have greater scrutiny prior to being added under the cover of darkness. Of particular concern to me is section 329, which would eliminate consideration of the record of decision for the 2002 Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement for the 1997 Tongass Land Management Plan, forest plan, from the Forest Service's administrative appeal process and judicial review. The inherent values of the Tongass National Forest to the American public cannot be understated. As the Nation's largest national forest, 17 million acres, located in southeast Alaska, it contains large tracts of pristine lands that are presently unprotected from future management activities. This is the last vestige for species that once roamed the Lower 48 States uninterrupted by the designs of humans. The Tongass is home to the American eagle, grizzly bears, a variety of fish species, including the Chinook, Coho, and Sockeye salmon to name a few, that once flourished in the rivers throughout the United States and numerous plant and wildlife species both common and unique. Section 329 is opposed by many Alaska and national environmental organizations.”