27jan00.....3131h

2000 SESSION

00-2770

09/01

HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 25

ANALYSIS

This house concurrent resolution opposes the President's action to establish vast roadless areas in the White Mountain National Forest without the consultation or input of the New Hampshire citizenry.

27jan00.....3131h

00-2770

09/01

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand

Whereas, the White Mountain National Forest, established by the Weeks Act almost a century ago, through the efforts of New Hampshire citizens, represents the successful application of the principles of natural resource protection combined with multiple use; and

Whereas, the Weeks Act established that the White Mountain National Forest be used to ensure watershed protection, a sustainable and continuous supply of timber, and recreational opportunities for citizens; and

Whereas, under the present Land and Resource Management Plan over half of the land in the White Mountain National Forest is not available for timber harvesting; and

Whereas, timber harvesting in the White Mountain National Forest is a legitimate and important activity, contributing an estimated $25 million in economic activity and 450 jobs to the rural economies of New Hampshire and Maine; and

Whereas, the White Mountain National Forest is beginning to undertake its Forest Planning process, which purports to use public involvement to make collaborative decisions; and

Whereas, the President of the United States has announced sweeping new regulations that will permanently remove from the timber base up to 40,000 acres of productive land in the White Mountain National Forest; and

Whereas, the President of the United States has undertaken this action outside of the Forest Planning process, and without the "up-front public involvement" that the Forest Service has promised the people of New Hampshire; and

Whereas, the citizens of New Hampshire will have limited opportunity for meaningful input on how these lands are used in the future; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:

That the legislature reaffirms its commitment to the principles underlying the Weeks Act, and supports continued management of the White Mountain National Forest for multiple uses as a part of the National Forest System; and

That the legislature opposes the President's action to remove vast tracts of productive land from the timber base of the White Mountain National Forest outside of the Forest Planning process; and

That the legislature calls upon the President to rescind his unilateral decree and allow the Forest Planning process on the White Mountain National Forest to go forward unimpeded; and

That copies of this resolution be forwarded by the house clerk to the President of the United States, the Vice President of the United States, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, the majority and minority leadership of the Senate, and each member of the New Hampshire congressional delegation.