Panel Approves Forest Recovery Bill
News Date April 10, 2006
The House Agriculture Committee approved legislation on April 5 to help restore damaged forest lands, protect soils, and wildlife habitat after catastrophic events. The "Forest Recovery and Research Act" (H.R. 4200) also promotes new research to improve forestry practices.
The legislation provides expedited procedures so that forest and land managers can move quickly to restore forests damaged by catastrophic events such as fires, insect outbreaks, ice storms, or hurricanes. In December 2003, Congress enacted the Healthy Forests Restoration Act to improve forest health and to reduce the threat of catastrophic events such as forest fires or insect infestation. H.R. 4200 takes a step further by providing similar expedited procedures so that professional land managers can respond promptly. (Contact: Charlie Ingram)