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Headwaters Bill Reported Out of Agriculture Committee
      On July 13, the House Agriculture Committee reported H.R.
2866, the Headwaters Forest Act, to the House Floor with the
addition of en bloc amendments and considerable massaging of bill
language.  The Headwaters Forest Act, introduced by Rep. Dan
Hamburg (D-CA), would acquire the largest unprotected redwood
forest on private lands -- 4,400 acres of the Headwaters grove and
connecting redwood forest currently owned by Pacific Lumber in
Humboldt County, California -- for inclusion into the National
Forest System.  The bill was reported out of the full Natural
Resources Committee on May 11.

      Rep. Harold Volkmer (D-MO) offered amendments en bloc, which
included an amendment co-written with Rep. Calvin Dooley (D-CA).
The en bloc amendments changed the words "shall acquire" to "may
acquire;" placed a limit of ten years on the period within which
the federal government may acquire the tract; stipulated that the
U.S. Forest Service may draft management plans only for lands that
had been acquired; and stipulated that the lands may be acquired
by means other than purchase, which is similar to the amendment
passed in the Natural Resources committee.  Rep. Sam Farr (D-CA)
argued that these amendments would be to put the federal
government at a disadvantage.

      Rep. John Doolittle (R-CA), introduced an amendment that the
bill would have "no adverse effect on lands until acquired."  Rep.
Farr argued that the Doolittle amendment would set a dangerous
precedent, allowing the seller to walk away from the deal at any
time.  Rep. Volkmer then asked to amend Doolittle's amendment.
After some confusion and each side consulting counsel, the
amendment as amended was agreed to by unanimous consent.

      Rep. Jay Inslee (D-WA) voiced concern that the amendment did
not clarify that the owner was entitled to "lawful" use of
property and requested report language stating that "lawful" use
was intended.  Rep. Farr again spoke up, asking if this amendment
would preclude the California Department of Forestry from denying
permits for logging or requesting more information for review and
if it gave Pacific Lumber more authority to get a timber harvest
permit.  Rep. Volkmer said this could be clarified in report
language.

      Rep. Pat Roberts (R-KS) requested that an estimate on the
costs of the bill under the en bloc amendments be made available
before a floor vote.  Chairman de la Garza, seeing that there were
no further amendments, moved to report the bill out of committee.
The bill was reported out on a voice vote.

      The Headwaters bill has now been reported out of both
authorizing committees and may be scheduled for a vote on the
House Floor in the coming weeks before the August recess.
Although the ramifications of the Agriculture Committee amendments
are unclear at this time, and the differences between this version
of the bill and the Natural Resources Committee version of the
bill have yet to be ironed out, passage out of the Agriculture
Committee is a clear victory for Rep. Hamburg and the activists
that have worked so diligently on the bill.

      Forest activists are encouraged to thank their
Representatives for supporting the Headwaters bill and to
encourage other Members of the House to support the bill when it
comes to the floor.  Activists should also look ahead to the
Senate, where much work remains to be done before the Headwaters
forest is permanently protected.
								       Jay
								       Lee

Senator Boxer Introduces Headwaters in the Senate
      Stating, "This legislation will protect approximately 44,000
acres of threatened redwood forests in northern California, and
the numerous plant and animal species which depend on the forests
for survival." Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) introduced the
Headwaters Forest Act, S. 2285, July 15.

      Please call or write Senator Boxer and thank her for her
leadership on this issue at 202/224-3553 or 415/403-0100.  Also
call your two Senators and urge them to co-sponsor S. 2285 to
protect the largest block of old-growth redwoods in private hands.
The Capitol Switchboard will connect you with your Senators at
202/224- 3121.