FINAL BILL REPORT

                     SHJM 4033

                           As Passed Legislature

Brief Description:  Requesting Congress and the President to enact the Forests and Families Protection Act.

By House Committee on Natural Resources & Parks (originally sponsored by Representatives Hargrove, Basich, Riley, Beck, Sheldon, Jones, Bowman, Morton, Morris, Brumsickle, P. Johnson, Dorn, Rasmussen, J. Kohl, Kremen, Fuhrman, Wynne, Ogden, O'Brien, H. Myers and Paris).

House Committee on Natural Resources & Parks

Senate Committee on Environment & Natural Resources

Background:  The northern spotted owl, which inhabits old-growth forests, was declared a threatened species by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in June 1990.  Since that time, to protect the owl, much of the old growth forest in the Pacific Northwest has been unavailable for harvest.  At the same time, the demand for new home construction fell to the lowest level since World War II.  In some areas of Washington, the reduced timber supply and the low demand for building materials have been major contributors to high levels of unemployment.

The issues have generated a debate over the level of protection for the owl and the impact of that protection on timber workers and communities.  Congress has considered numerous proposals that would balance spotted owl preservation with protection of jobs and communities.  One of the proposals, the Forests and Families Protection Act is supported by northwest timber workers and the timber industry.

Summary:  Congress and the president of the United States are asked to enact the Forests and Families Protection Act.  Copies of the memorial are to be transmitted to the president of the United States, the president of the Senate, the speaker of the House of Representatives, and each member of Congress from the state of Washington.

Votes on Final Passage:

House 90    3

Senate   47    0