Washington Outlook - Brief Article

As we go to press, House and Senate Appropriations Committees are readying forest and natural resource proposals for floor action. While nothing is certain at this point, the outlook remains positive for key Forest Service programs in which AMERICAN FORESTS has an interest. Several have a chance of moderate-to-significant increases, although it appears the Stewardship Incentives Program will go without congressional support for another year.

As I noted in the last Washington Outlook, congressional funding proposals are severely constrained by budget caps. Their totals are significantly less than what the Clinton administration proposed. There is a chance these budget caps may be lifted or eased during final negotiations, but we won't know the outcome until later this summer. AMERICAN FORESTS is watching closely the debate over several programs funded within the State and Private section of Cooperative Forestry (see Washington Outlook, Summer 1999). Once the bills pass each chamber, they will go to a conference committee of the House and Senate to determine the final funding level. Here's what has happened:

The Senate Committee proposed funding Urban and Community Forestry at last year's level of $30.5 million; the House increased it to $32 million. AMERICAN FORESTS provided information to Chairman Ralph Regula (OH) and Rep. Jim Moran (VA), who have shown interest in this program. The House also proposed increasing Forest Stewardship funding to $29.4 million, while the Senate held its proposal at last year's level of $28.8 million.

For two other programs--Forest Legacy and the Economic Action Programs (EAP)-the pattern is reversed: the Senate proposed significant increases; the House held close to last year's amounts. The Senate proposed doubling Forest Legacy funding to $14 million and increasing EAP funding by 50 percent to $25.5 million. This reflects efforts by nongovernmental groups and agency partners to increase congressional awareness and support for these programs. More work needs to be done to achieve these higher funding levels in conference committee.

In a related action, AMERICAN FORESTS and the National Network of Forest Practitioners helped develop and convene an oversight hearing on the Forest Service's Economic Action Programs for the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, Subcommittee on Forests and Public Lands (see page 20).

The hearing came at the request of Senator Jeff Bingaman of New Mexico, the Committee's ranking Democrat. Bingaman has taken a personal interest in the EAP program as a "positive, proactive approach to ensure the long-term sustainability of communities as well as the environment." The hearing fulfilled a promise Sen. Bingaman made in February to work with communities and the Forest Service to call attention to these rural community assistance programs.

Senator Larry Craig of Idaho chaired the hearing, expressing great interest in how these Forest Service programs assist and work collaboratively with communities to sustain forest health and community well-being. Senators Ran Wyden of Oregon, Pete Domenici of New Mexico, and Daniel Akaka of Hawaii also attended. Seven rural community forestry practitioners from around the country, a couple of state officials, and several Forest Service representatives testified in what came close to being a true back-and-forth dialogue with the senators (rather unique for a congressional hearing).

Finally, AMERICAN FORESTS is urging Congress to include the Urban and Community Forestry Program and the Forest Legacy Program in legislative proposals to increase funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) and other conservarian programs with revenues from Outer Continental Shelf lease payments. These proposals have strong bipartisan interest and a piece of legislation could pass Congress this fall. They are innovative and effective federal programs that, we believe, should be part of this significant new conservation legislation.

COPYRIGHT 1999 American Forests
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