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THE WILDERNESS SOCIETY 



TESTIMONY OF LOUIS BLUMBERG, ASSISTANT REGIONAL DIRECTOR, CAU- 

 FORNIA - NEVADA OFFICE OF THE WILDERNESS SOCIETY, ON H.R. 2153, THE 

 GIANT SEQUOIA PRESERVATION ACT OF 1993, BEFORE THE SUBCOMMITTEE 

 ON SPECIALTY CROPS AND NATURAL RESOURCES. UNITED STATES HOUSE 

 OF REPRESENTATIVES, COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE, MARCH 9, 1994. 



Mr. Chairman and members of the Committee, on behalf of the 300,000 

 memtsers of The Wilderness Society, thank you for the opportunity to submit testimony 

 for your hearing on H.R. 2153, the Giant Sequoia Act of 1993. 



The Wilderness Society (TWS) has long advocated for the creation of a 

 permanent ancient forest resen/e system, not only for the Sequoia National Forest, but 

 also for the ancient forests of the entire Sierra Nevada range and the Pacific West. 

 Legislation was introduced in the 102nd Congress that would have established such a 

 system, however it was not enacted. Currently, H.R. 2153 is the only bill that would 

 create a permanent ancient forest presen/e. Passage of H.R. 2153 would be an 

 important first step on the road toward permanently protecting our rapidly disappear- 

 ing ancient forest resources. 



Mr. Chairman, the ancient forests of the Sequoia and Sierra National Forests, 

 and in fact, the entire Sierra Nevada range, encompiass a variety of tree species. In 

 addition to Giant Sequoia (Sequoiadendron giganteum), some of the ancient forest 

 groves in the Sequoia and Sierra National Forests contain Douglas fir and mixed 

 conifer species, including pine, cypress, and red and white fir. Just as the ancient 

 Giant Sequoia groves do, groves comprised primarily of other species also provide a 

 multitude of benefits to the public. These ancient forests are intact, functioning 

 ecosystems ttiat should be preserved for their ecological and scientific values as well 

 as for their spiritual and aesthetic values. The remaining ancient forest ecosystems 

 are the last vestiges of a more primitive, p)re-settlement time and their preservation is 

 essential for the maintenance of our native biological diversity. 



Mr. Chairman, The Wildemess Society supports wholeheartedly tiie goals of 

 H.R. 2153. The Giant Sequoias are an unique resource, an irreplaceable part of our 

 natural heritage, and are worthy of permanent protection. Only Congressional action 

 such as H.R. 2153 can accomplish this important goal. 



Likewise, passage of H.R. 2153 can end tne subsidized destaiction of this price- 

 less resource. Based on Forest Service data alone. The Wildemess Society conclud- 

 ed that the Sequoia Nationai Forest lost $1.7 million dollars in its FY 1992 timber 



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