User:Save America's Forests

Brief History

The Act to Save America's Forests was originally introduced in the U.S. Congress in 1996 and we be introduced again in early 2008. The bill would amend the Rangeland and Renewable Resources Planning Act of 1974.

== Summary of the Bill ==

The Act to Save America’s Forests of 2008 would ban clearcutting in the U.S. National Forest System, designate certain federal lands as ancient forests, roadless areas, watershed protection areas and other areas where logging is prohibited, transfer administrative jurisdiction of the Giant Sequoia National Monument to the National Park Service, and provide for a study to consider new areas for inclusion in the national forest system. The following provides a summary of H.R. 7090's main points.

== Title I: Protection of Native Biodiversity, restricting clearcutting and similar destructive logging practices on Federal Forestlands

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Maintaining native forest biodiversity will become the priority of federal forest management agencies on the National Forests, Bureau of Land Management lands, and Wildlife Refuges. The management agencies will be required to restore the native trees, plants and animals, either by active restoration projects or by letting natural succession take its course.

The bill would ban clearcutting and “even age” logging, and artificial tree farms on federal forestlands. The bill allows for limited amounts of ecologically compatible logging on previously logged lands outside of the core areas of forest biodiversity. This will encourage the regrowth of natural, old-growth forest habitat, while restoring native species in areas previously degraded by clearcutting. The Act requires removal of non-native invasive tree species, which is necessary for restoration of native forest ecosystems.

== == Title II: Protection of Core Forest Areas on Federal Lands ==

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The Act prohibits logging and roadbuilding in scientifically mapped Ancient Forests in Washington, Oregon, and California, including sensitive riparian areas and key watersheds. This will permanently protect the habitat of endangered salmon, spotted owl, and other species being pushed towards extinction under current policies.

The Act prohibits logging and new road building in all roadless areas, both inventoried and uninventoried. Roadless areas form core reserves of biological diversity. Their protection from logging is critical to the full restoration of native biodiversity, and will ensure the survival of grizzly bear and other animals that need large, unbroken forest habitat.

The Act prohibits logging and new road building within 300 feet of any permanently flowing stream or river, within 100 feet of any intermittent, ephemeral, or seasonal stream, within 300 feet of any natural lake or pond, and within 150 feet of any constructed lake, pond or reservoir, or natural or constructed wetland. This is vital for protecting trout and salmon fisheries and municipal drinking water supplies.

In order to protect forest areas with important watersheds, old-growth forests, endangered species habitat, and other exceptional values, the Act prohibits logging and roadbuilding in over 100 named “special areas”. These special forest areas, many threatened with imminent logging, may have been previously roaded or logged, and therefore do not qualify for protection as roadless or Ancient Forests. The Act identifies “special areas” on national forests in 28 states around the country.

The Act provides for the transfer of jurisdiction of the Giant Sequoia National Monument from the Forest Service to the National Park Service. Adjustments would be made to the boundaries and additions to the area encompassed by the Monument made as well. An Advisory Board would be appointed to assist in preparation of the management plan.

== == Title IV: National Park System New Area Studies == ==

Reconnaissance Surveys — The National Park Service shall conduct reconnaissance surveys of areas classified as “Level III Ecoregions of the Continental United States” by the EPA that are not represented or are inadequately represented ecologically by any unit of the National Park System, do not have adequate connectivity to ensure long-term conservation of their biodiversity.

Purpose — The Secretary shall conduct the reconnaissance surveys to determine if there are resources that possess national significance, to make a preliminary evaluation of the suitability and feasibility of their inclusion as units of the National Park System, and to recommend whether or not to proceed to a special resource study.

Report to Congress — the Secretary shall submit to the Congress a report containing the results of the reconnaissance surveys and any special resource studies carried out in response to the Secretary’s recommendations

== == Title V: Effective Date == ==

Effective Date — The Act and its amendments shall take place on the date of enactment of this Act.

Wilderness Exclusion — This Act and the amendments made by this Act shall not apply to any Federal Wilderness areas designated under the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1131 et seq.).

Endangered Species Act — In the event of any conflict between a provision of this Act and the Endangered Species Act, the Endangered Species Act shall prevail.

Citation in APA format:

Act to Save America's Forests, H.R. 7090, 110th Congress Session 2 (2008).