Date: 1989-11-13
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. 1011. as amended. the Wildfire Disaster Recovery Act. During the summer and fall of 1987. disastrous fires swept through many parts of the Western States. destroying millions of acres of national forest lands and upsetting the lives of many of those who depend on these forests for their livelihoods. In the following year. many of us watched a similar scenario unfold as wildfires swept through Montana. Idaho. and Wyoming. nearly destroying one of the Jewels of the National Park SystemYellowstone National Park. These wildfires have had a devastating effect on the natural resources of the affected areasthe timber. fish and wildlife habitat. recreation. and wilderness resources. But the fires also have had a significant impact on communities in and around these areas whose economies depend on timber. recreation. and tourism from the forests. parks. and public lands that were destroyed by the fires. H.R. 1011. as amended. would provide the means to promote a more efficient and effective recovery for the people and communities affected by the devastating wildfires of the past two years. In addition. the bill would lay the groundwork for better preparedness against the threat of future wildfires. Title I of H.R. 1011. as amended. would establish a 25member National Commission on Wildfire Disasters. Members of the Commission would be appointed by the Secretaries of Agriculture and the Interior13 to be appointed by the former and 12 by the latter. Appointments are to reflect a broad range of the disciplines and expertise needed to fulfill the Commissions charge of studying how the wildfires affected national forests and parks and Bureau of Land Management public lands and associated communities. and making recommendations necessary to ensure a smooth and timely recovery from the devastating effects of these fires. In making appointments to the commission. each Secretary is to consider recommendstions received from the chairman and ranking members of the respective House and Senate committees of Jurisdiction. The Commission members are to serve without compensation and the costs of establishing and administering the commission are to come solely from private contributions. In addition. the aggregate amount of contributions from any one person. group. or entity will not exceed 10 percent of the total amount contributed to the Commission. The Commission is to complete Its study and report to the Secretaries of Agriculture and Interior not later than December 1. 1991. on the results of its study and any recommendations it may offer based on Its findings. Title II of the H.R. 1011. as amended. is intended to facilitate future forest firefighting planning and cooperation. To do so. the Secretaries are directed to complete annual reports on the rehabilitation needs resulting from forest fire damage for the public lands within their jurisdiction. In addition. each Secretary is directed to offer annual training programs to certify volunteers for suppressing forest fires in the event that such volunteers are needed. Title II of H.R. 1011. as amended. would also require the Secretaries of Agriculture and Interior to submit reports to Congress within one year of enactment of the bill to document local mobilization plans for emergency firefighting equipment In areas of national forests. parks. and Bureau of Land Management public lands that are prone to forest fires. Finally. H.R. 1011. as amended. would designate volunteers engaged in firefighting on public lands. national forests. and national parks as Federal employees for the purposes of damage claims and loss of personal property incident to their volunteer services. Mr. Speaker. H.R. 1011. as amended. should help the Forest Service. Park Service. and Bureau of Land Management aid those communities that were devastated by wildfires in 1987 and 1988 develop programs and plans for a full recovery. In addition. the bill will help Improve the preparedness of all agencies in dealing with future wildfires. I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 1011. as amended. Mr. Speaker. I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Missouri. . the chairman of the Subcommittee on Forests. Family Farms. and Energy of the Committee on Agriculture.