HOUSE BILL REPORT
HJM 4006
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in
their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a
statement of legislative intent.
As Reported by House Committee On:
Agriculture & Natural Resources
Brief Description: Requesting the federal government consider ways to increase the amount of timber and fiber removed from federal land in Washington.
Sponsors: Representatives Blake, Newhouse, B. Sullivan, Orcutt, Eickmeyer, Hinkle, Kessler and Kretz.
Brief History:
Agriculture & Natural Resources: 2/19/07, 2/22/07 [DP].
Brief Summary of Bill |
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HOUSE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE & NATURAL RESOURCES
Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 14 members: Representatives B. Sullivan, Chair; Blake, Vice Chair; Kretz, Ranking Minority Member; Warnick, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Eickmeyer, Grant, Hailey, Kagi, Lantz, McCoy, Newhouse, Orcutt, Strow and VanDeWege.
Staff: Jason Callahan (786-7117).
Background:
The United States Forest Service (USFS) manages six national forests and one volcanic
monument within Washington's borders. The USFS manages national forests for multiple
uses, including forestry research, natural resource protection, providing technical assistance,
and the extraction of timber resources. The mission of the USFS is limited to land
management, and the agency generally relies on the public sector to harvest and process the
timber removed from federal lands.
The USFS is housed administratively within the United States Department of Agriculture,
and the current USFS Chief is Gail Kimbell, an alumni of Oregon State University and a
former district ranger of the Colville National Forest.
Summary of Bill:
The USFS and the federal government is requested by the Legislature to consider ways to
increase the amount of timber and fiber that is removed from federal forest lands located
within the borders of Washington.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony:
(In support) The lack of production off of federal land is causing a problem with the chip and
fiber supply for mills in the state. The lack of management of second, third, and fourth
growth forests on federal land causes problems for forest health and wildlife habitat.
Converting trees into lumber helps reduce atmospheric carbon by locking up the carbon in
wood, where it is released into the atmosphere through decay on a slower timeline than if the
wood was not processed into building materials. When forests are not managed, forest fires
are much more likely.
(Opposed) None.
Persons Testifying: Representative Blake, prime sponsor.