Reps. Casperson, LaJoy, Bradstreet, Nitz, Caswell, Emmons, Newell, Hager, Robertson, Palmer, Meyer, DeRoche, Stahl, Voorhees, Brandenburg, Acciavatti, Garfield, Adamini, Shaffer, Pappageorge, Drolet, Pastor, Kooiman, Brown, Hummel, Howell, Sheltrown, Rivet, Gillard and Ruth Johnson offered the following resolution:

            House Resolution No. 322.

            A resolution to urge the United States Forest Service to carry out its responsibilities to facilitate the managed harvest of trees.

            Whereas, The United States Forest Service is responsible for managing public lands on 191 million acres of national forests and grasslands to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of these vital resources for both present and future generations.  For generations, the renewable riches of our forests have been vital to the economic strength of local areas and our entire state; and

            Whereas, The Forest Service is charged with helping states and communities to use the forests wisely to promote rural economic development and a quality rural environment.  Wise use of these resources contributes to an increase in scientific and technical knowledge and improves our capability to protect, manage, and use forests and rangelands.  When the Forest Service does not fully carry out its responsibilities, including those that are necessary for properly managed harvesting of trees, the long-term well-being of the forests can be jeopardized; and

            Whereas, Many jobs depend upon the Forest Service upholding its agreements on the amount of land to be managed and the number of trees that need to be harvested each year.  Failure to uphold these agreements causes economic hardships on many sectors of the economy, can harm the health of our forests, and can lead to the closure of businesses; now, therefore, be it

            Resolved by the House of Representatives, That we urge the United States Forest Service to carry out its responsibilities to facilitate the managed harvest of trees, including marking trees to be taken; and be it further

            Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to United States Forest Service.