President George W. Bush signs the Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003 at the Department of Agriculture Wednesday, December 3, 2003.
President Bush
Signs Healthy Forests
Restoration Act into Law
On December 3, 2003, President Bush signed into law the Healthy
Forests Restoration Act of
2003 to reduce the threat of destructive wildfires while upholding
environmental standards and
encouraging early public input during review and planning processes. The
legislation is based on
sound science and helps further the President.s Healthy Forests Initiative
pledge to care for
America.s forests and rangelands, reduce the risk of catastrophic fire to
communities, help save
the lives of firefighters and citizens, and protect threatened and
endangered species.
The Healthy Forests Restoration Act:
Strengthens public participation in developing high priority
forest health projects;
Reduces the complexity of environmental analysis allowing
federal land agencies to use
the best science available to actively manage land under their
protection;
Provides a more effective appeals process encouraging early
public participation in
project planning; and
Issues clear guidance for court action against forest health
projects.
The Administration and a bipartisan majority in Congress supported the
legislation and are
joined by a variety of environmental conservation groups.
The Need for Common-Sense Forest Legislation
Catastrophic fires, particularly those experienced in California,
Arizona, Colorado, Montana
and Oregon over the past two years, burn hotter and faster than most
ordinary fires.
Visibility and air quality are reduced, threatening even the health of
many who do not live near
the fires.
The habitat for endangered species and other wildlife is destroyed.
Federal forests and rangelands also face threats from the spread of
invasive species and insect
attacks.
In the past two years alone, 147,049 fires burned nearly 11
million acres
2002: 88,458 fires burned roughly 7 million acres and
caused the deaths of 23
firefighters;
2003 (thus far): 59,149 fires have burned 3.8 million
acres and caused the deaths
of 28 firefighters.
Nearly 6,800 structures have been destroyed in 2003
(approximately 4,800 in California).
The California fires alone cost $250 million to contain and 22
civilians have died as a
result.
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