29 



8 



Watershed restoration work in the Northwest 

 Region will serve as an important building block 

 towards comprehensive ecosystems 

 management. All of the best known science 

 looking at what is required through on-the- 

 ground management responses to multiple 

 species protection in a preventive way focuses 

 significantly on riparian protection and watershed 

 restoration. 



I am pleased that the Administration 

 recognizes the importance of watershed 

 restoration, and has chosen to include a 

 regionwide watershed initiative as a key element 

 in the President's recently announced Forest Plan 

 for addressing the conflict in the Northwest over 

 timber harvesting versus Old Growth protection. 



Again, I appreciate the Committee's support 



