20 



Specifically, the mediated settlement agreement provides for 

 a 1,000 -foot buffer zone beyond the outermost giant sequoia tree 

 in a grove until final mapping of the groves is completed. After 

 that, a 500-foot buffer will be established where only efforts to 

 preserve the groves will be allowed. In an additional 500 -foot 

 buffer, known as the "grove influence zone, " no action can be 

 taken that will impact the grove ecosystem or lead to physical 

 disturbance in the grove. 



The mediated settlement was a process in which the U.S. 

 Forest Service, the timber industry, the environmental community 

 and other interested parties hammered out an agreement that 

 addressed each group's concerns. While no group agreed with the 

 management prescriptions totally, it was clearly a balanced 

 solution. I believe that this process should be used as a model 

 for future management of our National Forests. However, 

 legislation like H.R. 2153 undermines this and any future 

 compromise between industry and the environmental community. 



It is clear that most scientists believe that some sort of 

 management is needed to ensure the continued health of giant 

 sequoia. Because giant sequoia are not shade- tolerant, large 

 open areas are needed to provide a viable environment for new 

 giant sequoia. Prohibition of commercial logging will force the 

 Forest Service to absorb the cost of any management activity that 

 may be needed on the Forests. 



The Forest Service is in the process of overseeing an 

 independent scientific panel study of the entire Sierra Nevada 

 Range. It is my hope that the team will spend a significant 

 cimount of time examining the giant sequoia groves. The 

 scientists conducting the study are expected to make 

 recommendations regarding the management of these forests. I 

 believe that any changes in the management practices should be 

 based on scientific evidence that will be provided through this 

 study. 



This is a special issue to me. Like many San Joaquin Valley 

 residents, I have spent a great deal of time in the Sierra Nevada 

 and particularly in Sequoia National Forest. As a youngster, I 

 marveled at the vastness of the Sierra and was fascinated by the 

 size and age of the big trees. I was also intrigued by the many 

 ways man put the forest to work for him. As I grew older, I 

 became more aware of the need for a forest that through sound 

 management allows for both commerce and preservation of a special 

 resource. I believe that the two interests can co- exist. 



I look forward to the testimony that will be presented today 

 and hope that my colleagues on the Committee will come away with 

 the understanding that H.R. 2153 is the wrong solution to the 

 management of the Sequoia and Sierra national forests. Thank 

 you. 



