Date: 1987-07-27
Speaker: DE LA GARZA (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker. I rise today in support of H.R. 2401. the Renewable Resources Extension Act Amendments of 1987. and urge its passage by the House. The Renewable Resources Extension Act [RREA] has successfully provided increased emphasis on forestry. range. recreation. fish and wildlife management. and environmental education within the ongoing efforts of the cooperative extension system. RREA addresses the environmental components of forest and rangeland management In the United States. It complements two related acts passed during the same periodthe Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act (Public Law 95313) and the Renewable Resources Research Act (Public Law 95307). Together. these three acts provide a continuum of research. education. and technical/financial assistance to improve the management of the Nations forest and rangeland resources. Nearly twothirds of the Nations commercial forestland is held by nonindustrial private landowners. These lands offer a tremendous potential for increasing timber supplies and enhancing economic development. community stability. and environmental quality. Yet. relatively few acres are reaching their productive potential. Similarly. the Nations 785 million acres of rangeland have a great potential for providing a variety of goods and services. including livestock products. wildlife habitat. recreation. water. minerals. and energy. However. current management of these lands often fails to meet needs for conservation and efficient production. The Renewable Resources Extension Program was first funded in 1982. Since that time. the program has received between $2 and $2.5 million. annually. Working in tandem with other Federal. State. and local sources of support. the RREA program now provides landowner assistance for renewable resources management in 43 States. Authorization for the RREA program will sunset in 1988 if Congress fails to act. H.R. 2401 would reauthorize the Renewable Resources Extension Program through September 30. 1995. Thus. subsequent program reviews and reauthorizations would be in sync with development of RREAs 5year plan which is prepared in accordance with section 5 of the original statute. H.R. 2401 would also provide for minor modifications in the authorized appropriations and reporting requirements for the program. Specifically. H.R. 2401 would reduce the authorized appropriations for the Renewable Resources Extension Program from $15 to $12 million. annually. Since the program has never received more than $2.5 million. this modification should have no significant effect. This level of funding is consistent with RREAs needs to meet all national goals identified in the 198590 5year plan. and is sufficient to permit all 50 States to participate in the program. The amendments to H.R. 2401 would also require that the 5year plan be transmitted directly to the House and Senate Agriculture Committees to provide clear responsibility for program review. Finally. in response to a recommendation contained in a Congressional Research Service review of the RREA Program. H.R. 2401 would require an evaluation of the programs accomplishments in conjunction with the development of each 5year plan. Mr. Speaker. H.R. 2401 is cosponsored by the chairman and ranking minority member of both the Subcommittee on Forests. Family Farms. and Energy. and the full committee. The bill passed both the subcommittee and full committee by unanimous voice vote and has the support of a diverse group of industry. conservation. and professional natural resource organizations. Mr. Speaker. I urge my colleagues to support passage of H.R. 2401. Mr. Speaker. I reserve the balance of my time.