11 



and Forest Pest Management comes within our branch of the orga- 

 nization. 



I am here to specifically offer the Forest Service views on APHIS' 

 proposed rule on logs, lumber, and unmanufactured wood articles. 



First of all, we strongly do support the proposed rule and would 

 like to acknowledge the hard work that APHIS has done in taking 

 over this leadership role. It is valuable and it is extremely needed. 



The proposed rule will help protect America's forests from intro- 

 duced pests. Before this proposed rule, I know you know this but 

 I want to underline it, the U.S. was one of the few major countries 

 without this type of firm and rigorous regulation. It is important 

 that we have some regulation like this. 



With the increase of global markets opening up new sources of 

 importing logs, the rule is timely. We feel like the proposed rule 

 will clarify trade requirements. In essence, it lets importers clearly 

 know what they are up against in trying to get their products to 

 the market more quickly. 



[The prepared statement of Mr. Rains appears at the conclusion 

 of the hearing.] 



Mr. Rose. Can I interrupt you here? Let me just see if we can 

 shorten this a little bit. We have a lot of witnesses. 



Is there anybody on the subcommittee that thinks these regula- 

 tions are too tough? Anybody here that thinks they are too tough? 



Okay, I think my concern is they are not tough enough and I 

 wish you would talk to that. Convince me that you have done 

 enough, Mr. Rains, because I kept some questions for Mr. Lee 

 about other exotic pests in a minute that do not necessarily mess 

 with your timber. 



Mr. Rains. Let me do that in two ways. First of all, I will intro- 

 duce in general the rigor we think we have applied and then let 

 me 



Mr. Rose. Talk to us about the specific things you propose to do 

 to imported logs and — ^you know, I read — originally it was heat 

 treatment for everybody; is that right? 



Mr. Rains. Why don't I let Dr. Nancy Lorimer talk to that since 

 she was on the risk assessment. 



Mr. Rose. Your whole statement is a part of the record. Let's 

 talk about where you have cut comers here so far as protecting 

 America's forests. That is like when did you stop beating your hus- 

 band, but go ahead. 



Ms. Lorimer. Thank you for this question, Mr. Chairman. The 

 Forest Service role in this whole process has been to perform the 

 risk assessments and this technical information is by APHIS to 

 promulgate their regulations. 



So we did the three risk assessments; one for Siberia, one for 

 New Zealand, and one for Chile, and as everyone has stated so far, 

 the Siberian pest risk assessment showed there was extreme risk 

 for logs from that source, and APHIS decided to require heat treat- 

 ment. I guess no one here is arguing with that point at the mo- 

 ment. 



Then we moved on to the New Zealand and Chilean pest risk as- 

 sessments. They were very thorough; they involved extensive peer 

 review, as Mr. Smith has already indicated. They were very exten- 

 sive risk assessments. The risk was identified and then APHIS 



