Second, the legislation amends the Knudsen-Vandenberg Act to 

 include BLM timberlands. For the first time, reforestation of BLM 

 lands would be funded through a certain and sure sales receipt 

 funded trust. 



Third, we would amend the Act to limit K-V funds to reforest- 

 ation and stand enhancement activities, which, in my view, is what 

 the law was originally intended to be. 



Finally, additional monies would be made available in Oregon, 

 Washington and Northern California, for enhancement of second- 

 growth forestry on private woodlands under the Forest Assistance 

 Act. The legislation has been endorsed by a variety of groups, envi- 

 ronmental groups such as The Wilderness Society, industry groups 

 such as the Oregon Forest Industries Council, and the Northwest 

 Reforestation Contractors as well. 



So, Mr. Chairman, let me break my speechifying off right at this 

 point. You have been kind, as always, to give me the opportunity 

 to come. As I say, we have appreciated all you have done for us, 

 such as your being willing to hold hearings and examine the ques- 

 tion of coming up with a new, more balanced approach for the fu- 

 ture, and I appreciate the chance to work with you and our friends 

 from the Northwest. 



Mr. Vento. Well, I thank the gentleman for his comments. Obvi- 

 ously, do for you or do to you, I guess, depends upon who is looking 

 at what the chairman or others might be contemplating. 



But, without objection, your entire statement will be made a part 

 of the record, as will the entire opening statements of members and 

 the witnesses. Without objection, so ordered. 



[Prepared statement of Representative Wyden follows:] 



Opening Statement Representative Ron Wyden 



Mr. Chairman, I know that you and members of this subcommittee are working 

 very hard to help solve the horrendously difficult question of how to best manage 

 the Pacific Northwest's old growth forests. But outside of that very tough question, 

 I can think of no more pressing public timberland issue than the need to reform 

 reforestation efforts in the great public forests of the West. 



Last week, I toured Oregon forests and wood product manufacturing plants with 

 Secretary Babbitt. He said more than once that we can have a sound forest environ- 

 ment and jobs, too. 



I believe him. 



I also believe that a good reforestation program, well-integrated with other prior- 

 ities such as the repair of great damage done to forest streams and rivers, is one 

 way to get both jobs and a sound forest environment we can leave to our children. 



I congratulate you for having this hearing, today. Your committee is in an ideal 

 position to begin that reform effort. And I look forward to working closely with my 

 Oregon colleagues, Peter DeFazio and Bob Smith, to address these issues. 



Thank vou tor the opportunity to add my two cents worth. 



Yesterday, Mike Kopetski, Wally Herger and I introduced legislation to expand, 

 improve and reform reforestation and stand enhancement activity on public lands 

 in Oregon, Washington and Northern California — the areas most likely to feel the 

 economic brunt of Northern Spotted Owl habitat desipiations. We are focused on 

 second growth forests, lands likely to remain in the timber base. We see years of 

 lost opportunities on these lands. This bill is needed because over the last decade 

 there nas been a failure to adequately fund and manage reforestation and stand en- 

 hancement in the Northwest. 



Because of that neglect, my constituents in the Oregon wood products industry 

 mav lose jobs which otherwise would have been preserved. 



Before I explain our legislation, I'd first like to say a few words about why I think 

 it's desperately needed. 



First, as the Interior Department inspector general informed the Natural Re- 

 sources Committee two months ago, shortfalls and backlogs in reforestation activity 



