37 



Mr, Leonard. Well, the hope is that we can find some partners 

 out there who will share the cost; as Mr. Hamburg has indicated, 

 the State of California is considering a bond issue with a major 

 driving part being acquisition of the Headwaters Forest. There are 

 a number of organizations out there who historically have funded 

 land acquisition who are concerned about what is happening on the 

 Headwaters Forest. So the potential of putting together a package, 

 we think is well worth exploring. 



Mr. DOOLEY. In terms, though, of enacting legislation that is ba- 

 sically going to bind the Federal Government into making a com- 

 mitment to purchase the land without those agreements put in 

 place, does this not put us in a position of obligation to come up 

 with these funds? 



Mr. Leonard. The administration is seeking negotiations among 

 the parties to get some agreement out in front. 



Mr. DoOLEY. And would it be the administration's position that 

 they would think that that has to be done, in fact, before we would 

 move forward with this legislation? 



Mr. Leonard. That is what they are urging, yes. 



Mr. Dooley. So then I understand the administration's position 

 is, until we resolve the financing part of this and what would be 

 the financial obligation of the Federal Government, you would be 

 hesitant to support this legislation? 



Mr. Leonard. The administration has not supported the legisla- 

 tion. They do support the goals of the legislation. They are suggest- 

 ing that the parties sit down and try to put together a package. 



Mr. Dooley. Thank you. 



Mr. Rose. Mr. Leonard, what would you say if I told you that 

 Mr. Lyons' office tells me that they are going to send over a letter 

 for us to put in the hearing record, saying that they support this 

 legislation? 



Mr. Leonard. It would be news to me. 



Mr. Rose. It looks Hke you are about to get some news, Mr. 

 Leonard. 



[The letter follows:] 



