248 



Statement of Jim Owens 



Forests, Family Farms, and Energy Subcommittee 



September 10, 1992 



Page 3 



sense of responsibility and resolve with which you have pursued this 

 issue. 



Your efforts to develop a scientifically based legislative approach 

 to the andent forest issue resulted in the recommendations by the 

 Scientific Panel on Late-Successional Forest Ecosystems, a landmark 

 study which has completely altered the course of the andent forest 

 debate, and which will ultimately be the basis for any legislation 

 dealing with the andent forest issue. Many people recognize the 

 significance of the study, and of your efforts to go beyond the usual 

 political approach to public land management problems. 



The Headwaters Forest issue requires a similar effort by this 

 Comnuttee to deal with the merits of the issue, rather than the politics 

 of the moment. Once again you are being asked to don Solomon's 

 robes; I have no doubt you will answer this challenge with vigor and 

 resolve. And I know that you will treat the parties in this case with 

 fairness and respect. 



Let me move to the facts of this matter. The Headwaters Forest 

 is the largest unprotected block of virgin redwoods in the northern 

 hemisphere. This forest, and the coiuiected tracts of virgin and second 

 growth redwoods comprising the core of the area recommended in 



