48 



Ms. Long. It soxinds like we are just getting called to a vote. 

 Mr. LaRocco, if you would like to present your testimony, I think 

 we can complete your testimony before the vote. 



STATEMENT OF HON. LARRY LaROCCO, A REPRESENTATIVE 

 IN CONGRESS FROM THE STATE OF IDAHO 



Mr. LaRocco. Thank you. I reiterate my appreciation for sched- 

 uling this hearing today, Madam Chair. 



As you know, on March 15, the Natural Resources Subcommittee 

 on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands held the first Wash- 

 ington hearing on my legislation, H.R. 3732. Today, I appreciate 

 your assistance in moving my bill further along the legislative proc- 

 ess. 



I also appreciate the chairman's interest and your interest and 

 assistance with my forest health bill, H.R. 229. The hearing held 

 by the chairman last August in Boise has been especially helpful 

 in building momentum and scientific consensus for that legislation 

 as welL 



On January 25 of this year I introduced a revised version of my 

 1993 Wilderness bill to reflect what I saw as an emerging consen- 

 sus. The new bill, H.R. 3732, is the bill which is before us today. 

 H.R. 3732 calls for designation of wilderness areas on all five na- 

 tional forests within my congressional district. In addition, several 

 special management areas are proposed. 



I have also included demonstration projects for the St. Joe and 

 Kaniksu National Forest with the goal of investing in good sites to 

 grow more timber volume on lands already roaded. In an effort to 

 provide certainty on forest lands which are already roaded the bill 

 called for restoration of forests and watersheds and authorized jobs 

 to carry out these activities. 



I look forward to hearing the administration's testimony today. 



And, again, Madam Chair, thank you for your interest and for 

 this opportunity. 



I might add that in my bill with the water rights language, I 

 have worked on this language with the Governor of Idaho, Cecil 

 Andrus, and also have been in consultation with the attorney gen- 

 eral's office. My colleague from the Second District has looked at 

 this language as well because of his knowledge on water rights. 



With that I would ask unanimous consent that my entire state- 

 ment be included in the record for this hearing, 



[The prepared statement of Mr. LaRocco appears at the conclu- 

 sion of the hearing,] 



Ms. Long, Without objection, 



Mr, Rose, Congressman, thank you for being here. 



We appreciate your efforts and we hope that we CEin help you get 

 this legislation moved in a manner that is suitable to you, 



Mr. LaRocco. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I appreciate your in- 

 terest in Idaho and in this legislation and my other efforts that 

 have come before your committee. 



Mr. Rose. Thank you, sir. 



Does anybody have any questions that they would like to ask the 

 congressman? 



If not, thank you very much. 



Mr. LaRocco, Thank you, Mr. Chairman. 



