HOUSE BILL REPORT

                     SSJM 8024

                         As Passed House - Amended

                               March 6, 1992

Brief Description:  Petitioning congress for the right to salvage downed timber in the Olympic National Forest.

Sponsor(s):  By Senate Committee on Environment & Natural Resources (originally sponsored by Senators Conner, Owen, Snyder, Jesernig and Anderson).

Brief History:

   Reported by House Committee on:

Natural Resources & Parks, February 27, 1992, DPA;

Passed House, March 6, 1992, 95-0.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON

NATURAL RESOURCES & PARKS

Majority Report: Do pass as amended.  Signed by 11 members:  Representatives Belcher, Chair; Scott, Vice Chair; Beck, Ranking Minority Member; Brumsickle, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Dellwo; Fraser; Hargrove; Morton; Riley; Sheldon; and Wynne.

Staff:  Randy Acker (786-7129).

Background:  There is a substantial amount of blown-down timber in the forests of Western Washington.  With the cutbacks in the supply of timber available from federal lands, the timber industry is looking for new sources of timber.  Salvaged  blown-down timber is considered a potential source of supply.  The Forest Service is currently investigating ways of harvesting blown-down timber that are compatible with management of the spotted owl.

Summary of Bill:  The timber industry in Washington is in serious economic decline because of the program to protect the spotted owl and changes in the timber industry.  Access to downed timber would make more than 70 million board feet available.  Carefully supervised removal of downed trees would leave old growth forests substantially undamaged while at the same time producing timber for local mills. Removal of downed timber will reduce the potential for bug infestations and wildfires that could damage the forest.  Congress and the president are asked to pass legislation authorizing the U.S. Forest Service to offer salvage sales of blown-down timber in the national forests of the Pacific Northwest.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

Testimony For:  Timber sales have been dramatically reduced so there is a tremendous need for additional timber in order to keep mills from going under.  If we are to save mills, there is a need to act fast; time is of the essence.  This memorial is needed to send a wake up call to Congress to get them to act now.

Testimony Against:  The bill should be amended to require the use of horses in logging sensitive areas.

Witnesses:  Ben Lann, WA Commercial Forest Action Committee (in favor); Jill Mackie, Pacific Lumber and Supply (in favor); Ralph Saperstein, Northwest Forestry Association (in favor); George Kirkmire, WA Contract Loggers Association (in favor); Victoria Chiechi, WA Citizens for World Trade (in favor); Karl Denison, U.S. Forest Service (neutral); and George Tyler, citizen (proposed amendment to require use of horses in logging sensitive areas).