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Congresswoman McCollum's Remarks on the Amendment to Eliminate International Forest Service Programs

February 16, 2011
Statements For the Record

First of all, to make clear, while the Congressman says his amendment eliminates the U.S. Forest Service's International Programs, it does not.

The amendment only calls for a reduction in the budget for the "Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, State and Private Forestry." Should this short-sighted amendment pass, the Agency would decide what within its budget to cut.

That being said, the gentleman from Kansas has unfairly maligned an important agency doing unsung work.

The U.S. Forest Service's International Programs plays a unique role as one of the few federal agencies working with international governments and NGOs to:

• Stop the flow of illegal wood that is undercutting our U.S. timber industry and costing us jobs

• Protect Western Canada's boreal forests in partnership with Ducks Unlimited to ensure future generations of hunters will have access to waterfowl habitat. This area is the second most productive breeding ground for ducks that migrate to the U.S.

• Working with China and Russia to address such invasive species as Emerald Ash Borer and the Asian Gypsy moth, both of which threaten millions of forest acres in my home state of Minnesota

Salmon eastern Russia, to preserve wildstock,

No Mexican students on field trips, exchange in classrooms in Canada, mexico, learn about insects, trees, and learn biology. Learn very very important programs.

• Providing technical expertise in places such as Tajikistan and the Middle East so these countries can reduce the threat of conflict through wise management of their natural resources

I would say U.S. taxpayers have gotten a lot for their small investment in this agency.

Far from being a "frivolous" program, the International Programs of the U.S. Forest Service provide tremendous benefits to preserve U.S. jobs, help America's hunters and enhance our national security.

This amendment, while NOT eliminating the program, should still be opposed.

Issues:Environment & Energy