Date: 1989-11-06
Speaker: OF LA GARZA (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I rise today in support of HR. 2144. the "Urban and Community Forestry Act of 1989." I urge my colleagons to support its passage. Treos. open spaces. and forested lands in our cities. their suburbs. and smaller communities. are important to the quality of life In these areas. Nut only do these natural resource.3 add to the esthetics of urban and community areas. but they increase the economic value of the landscape. reduce hosting requirements. provide insulation from the sounds of the city. improve air quality and help reduce global warming. and generally contribute to the quality of city and suburban life. Yet. despite the importance of trees and open spaces in urban and community areas. these resources are on a precipitous decline. According to testimony received by our committee. for every tree that Is planted in our large urban areas. rural towns. and communities. four die or are removed. These losses are the result of land clearing for now transportation routes. utility corridors. housing. and industrial developments. insects and disease. physical damage. and even vandalism. As evidenced by the outpouring of concern for the fate of the famous Treaty Oak In Austin. TX. people care about trees. The story of the Treaty Oak. a tree which has stood as a silent sentinel to much of the history of Texas and was suddenly threatened by an act of vandalism. Is testimony to the caring and commitment that people share for trees. H.R. 2144 would expand existing authority In the Department of Agriculture to provide education programs and technical assistance to State and local governments and organizations to aid In maintaining forested lands and individuals trees in urban and community areas. These programs would improve understanding of the benefits of preserving existing tree cover.. enhance tree maintenance and arboricultural activities. and promote tro planting to replace dead and dying trees and rovegetato open spaces. H.R. 2144 would also provide for the ostablishmant of a National Urban and Community Forestry Advisory Council. to aid the Forest Service in planning. implomonting. and evaluating its urban and community forestry programs. The Council. consisting of 15 Individuals appointed by the Secretary. is structured to provide both the breadth of expertise and the balance of Interests needed to address the concerns that affect the Nations urban and community trees and forested lands. In addition. the bill would establish a now challenge cost share program to fund or otherwise support communitybased. urban and community forestry projects. Awards under this program would be based on criteria developed by the Council and should rellect the recommendations which are made to tho Secretary by the Council on an annual basis. I commend the gentleman from Indiana. the Honorable JIM JONTZ for introducing this logislation. as well as the chairman of the Agriculture Committees Subcommittee on Forests. Family Farms. and Energy. the Honorable HAROLD VOLKMER. for refining the legislation which is before you today. Mr. Speaker. H.R. 2144 provides the basis for turning around the current decline of the trees and forested areas in our cities. suburbs. and towns. It offers a sound and rationale approach to addressing the problems which confront these important natural resources. I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 2144.