BILL REQ. #:  H-1199.1 

Read first time 01/24/2007.   Referred to Committee on Agriculture & Natural Resources.

     TO THE HONORABLE GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, AND TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE AND THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, AND TO THE SENATE AND HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE UNITED STATES, IN CONGRESS ASSEMBLED:
     We, your Memorialists, the Senate and House of Representatives of the State of Washington, in legislative session assembled, respectfully represent and petition as follows:
     WHEREAS, The vast timber resources of the Pacific Northwest have, since the time of its inception, been an immensely important and integral part of Washington's economic well-being; and
     WHEREAS, Even today, in a time of modern developments and economic diversification, many communities, both rural and urban, rely on a steady and predictable supply of timber for economic vibrancy; and
     WHEREAS, Many wood processing facilities have been forced to close their doors due to inadequate timber supply; and
     WHEREAS, Each closed mill represents a loss of economic opportunity for a community; and
     WHEREAS, A reduction in wood availability and the closure of timber mills has lead to a crisis in the supply of chip for pulp mills; and
     WHEREAS, A reliable timber supply is the number one asset an investor will consider prior to constructing a new timber mill; and
     WHEREAS, Countless acres of private forestland is being lost each year to satisfy the growing population of the Pacific Northwest with land for housing and other nonforestry uses; and
     WHEREAS, The state of Washington has progressively lead the nation in its pursuit of forest practices regulation to ensure that the aquatic species that rely on healthy forests continue to thrive into the future; and
     WHEREAS, Unhealthy forests that have gone far too long without having silvicultural thinning operations performed has lead to devastating forest fires that cost the state government, federal government, and local communities millions of dollars and release massive amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere; and
     WHEREAS, The forestland of the Pacific Northwest contains the raw materials to jumpstart new industries in biofuels that can help Washington lead the way on technological advancements to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and the nation's reliance on foreign oil; and
     WHEREAS, Healthy, well-managed forests improve the habitat for all species that rely on the forests for their homes; and
     WHEREAS, The vast landholding of the United States forest service and other federal agencies represent the promise of economic security for Washington's communities, an opportunity to improve forest health and reduce the economic and environmental costs of forest fires, hope for the enhancement of important wildlife habitat, and the necessary raw materials to begin production of biofuels;
     NOW, THEREFORE, Your Memorialists respectfully pray that the United States forest service and the federal government consider ways to increase the amount of timber and fiber that is removed from the federal forestlands located within the borders of the state of Washington.
     BE IT RESOLVED, That copies of this Memorial be immediately transmitted to the Honorable George W. Bush, President of the United States, the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, each member of Congress from the State of Washington, and the Secretary of the United States Department of the Interior.