25apr02...3606eba

2002 SESSION

01-2299

04/01

HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 22

ANALYSIS

This house concurrent resolution urges the New Hampshire congressional delegation to clearly articulate the importance of preserving multiple use management of and access to any future land transfers to the White Mountain National Forest.

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25apr02...3606eba

01-2299

04/01

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Two

Whereas, the New Hampshire general court has adopted numerous resolutions relative to the White Mountain National Forest over the last decade, including HR 25 in the 1993 session, HJR 7 in the 1999 session, HR 9 in the 1999 session, HCR 25 in the 2000 session, and SJR 1 in the 2000 session; and

Whereas, each of these resolutions has affirmed and communicated the strong support of the people of New Hampshire, through their elected representatives, for multiple use management in the White Mountain National Forest, including sustainable forest and wildlife habitat management, and traditional recreational uses such as hiking, fishing, hunting, downhill and cross-country skiing, and snowmobiling; and

Whereas, these activities, and the revenues and federal payments they generate, are vitally important to the economy of communities in and around the White Mountain National Forest; and

Whereas, in recent years the United States Forest Service has curtailed multiple use management in considerable areas of the White Mountain National Forest, especially with respect to the harvest and management of forests for wood products, with consequent impacts to the economy of local communities; and

Whereas, in response to declining federal budget support, the United States Forest Service has also implemented a recreation user fee system that has been controversial in New Hampshire communities surrounding the White Mountain National Forest; and

Whereas, despite the curtailment of multiple use management, and despite the mandated recreation user fee, the United States Forest Service continues to seek federal appropriations to add more land to the White Mountain National Forest; and

Whereas, once these lands become federally owned, there can be no assurance that they will remain available for the full range of traditional uses, including forestry, and for the recreational enjoyment of citizens of New Hampshire communities in and around the White Mountain National Forest; and

Whereas, these appropriations are sponsored by members of the New Hampshire congressional delegation, who through their request for funding, can have considerable influence in communicating the intent of Congress in approving the funding for additional land acquisitions; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:

That the New Hampshire general court does call upon the house and senate members of New Hampshire's congressional delegation, to fully and clearly articulate the importance of preserving multiple use management and access for New Hampshire citizens for traditional recreational uses in language accompanying federal appropriations for acquisition of lands for addition to the White Mountain National Forest; and

That henceforth, any appropriations approved by Congress for addition of lands to the White Mountain National Forest shall be accompanied by such report language; and

That copies of this resolution shall be forwarded by the house clerk to the New Hampshire congressional delegation.