H 3314 Concurrent Resolution, By Harvin
 A Concurrent Resolution memorializing Congress to allow forest landowners who
 suffered tremendous loss as the result of Hurricane Hugo in 1989 the right to
 practice forestry without undue restrictions from the Endangered Species Act,
 wetlands statutes, and other laws and to provide, or to continue, certain
 other urgent relief.

   02/02/93  House  Introduced HJ-4
   02/02/93  House  Referred to Committee on Invitations and Memorial
                     Resolutions HJ-4
   02/09/93  House  Committee report: Favorable Invitations and
                     Memorial Resolutions HJ-2
   02/10/93  House  Adopted, sent to Senate HJ-37
   02/11/93  Senate Introduced SJ-12
   02/11/93  Senate Referred to Committee on Fish, Game and Forestry SJ-12

February 9, 1993

H. 3314

S. Printed 2/9/93--H.

Read the first time February 2, 1993.

To whom was referred a Concurrent Resolution (H. 3314), memorializing Congress to allow forest landowners who suffered tremendous loss as the result of Hurricane Hugo in 1989, etc., respectfully

That they have duly and carefully considered the same, and recommend that the same do pass:

DEWITT WILLIAMS, for Committee.

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

MEMORIALIZING CONGRESS TO ALLOW FOREST LANDOWNERS WHO SUFFERED TREMENDOUS LOSS AS THE RESULT OF HURRICANE HUGO IN 1989 THE RIGHT TO PRACTICE FORESTRY WITHOUT UNDUE RESTRICTIONS FROM THE ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT, WETLANDS STATUTES, AND OTHER LAWS AND TO PROVIDE, OR TO CONTINUE, CERTAIN OTHER URGENT RELIEF.

Whereas, the woodlands of Clarendon County, South Carolina were more than fifty percent devastated by Hurricane Hugo in 1989 and occupy fifty-three percent of the land area contributing to the economic stability of that county; and

Whereas, the American public uses a tremendous amount of products from our country's "renewable" forests -- i.e., lumber, pulp, and paper products, and it requires a minimum of twenty to sixty years to grow trees for these future uses; and

Whereas, a new national philosophy is needed to support the long-term period required to grow America's needs to avoid future shortages, and less restrictive laws, economic relief, and adequate incentive are needed in the form of capital gains tax laws restored for timber growing; and

Whereas, it is necessary that the Hugo-damaged woodland areas of South Carolina receive continued federal seventy-five percent cost-share funding for reforesting, where needed; and

Whereas, the right to practice forestry without undue restrictions from the Endangered Species Act, wetlands statutes, and other laws unduly restricting land use is imperative, including the self-policing of forestry practices under voluntary Best Management Practices (BMP's); and

Whereas, support for the wise use and conservation of our natural resources for the benefit of the United States, such as efficient timber production, wildlife, soil, and water protection, and preservation of aesthetic values, should be encouraged and maintained, but, at the same time, there must be reason in resource laws, including a revision of the Endangered Species Act and a revision of wetlands laws or interpretations to include the original intent of Congress, i.e., swamps, bogs, and marshes and not low coastal plains areas that are traditional timber-growing areas;

Whereas, the relief recommended to Congress by this resolution is entirely feasible and practical and is of the greatest urgency. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:

That the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina, by this resolution, memorializes Congress to allow forest landowners who suffered tremendous loss as the result of Hurricane Hugo in 1989 the right to practice forestry without undue restrictions from the Endangered Species Act, wetlands statutes, and other laws and to provide, or to continue, certain other urgent relief.

Be it further resolved that copies of this resolution be forwarded to all eight members of the South Carolina Congressional Delegation at Washington, D.C.