51 



STATEMENT OF HON. BOB GOODLATTE 



Mr. Chairman, I'd like to thank you for reporting my bill, 

 H.R. 2 942, the Mount Pleasant National Scenic Area Act, to the 

 full committee for consideration. I was very pleased with the 

 outcome of the Subcommittee on Specialty Crops and Natural 

 Resources hearing which was held on April 12th of this year. I 

 am also glad to be able to say that this legislation has the 

 cosponsorship of every member of the Subcommittee on Specialty 

 Crops and Natural Resources . 



As you may know, .the residents of western Virginia have been 

 calling for improved protection for this area in Amherst County 

 Virginia that includes federal woodlands and local watersheds. 

 This local effort aims to protect these natural resources without 

 removing the flexibility needed to properly maintain the area. 



This measure is critically important to many constituents of 

 the sixth congressional district and has the continued support of 

 the Amherst County Board of Supervisors, as well as local 

 environmental groups and private timber companies that acquire 

 pulp and fiber from National Forest lands. 



I would like to bring to your attention my intention to 

 offer an en bloc amendment to this legislation when the bill 

 comes before the committee. Like the bill itself, the en bloc 

 amendment has support from all of the involved parties at the 

 local and national level, and maintains the original integrity 

 and intent of this effort. 



I want to thank you again for allowing this important 

 legislation to move forward and look forward to working with 

 members of the full committee and the House to get this bill 

 passed into law. 



