Washington, D.C. - The list of those endorsing U.S. Congressman Greg Walden's, R-OR, Forest Emergency Recovery and Research Act (H.R. 4200) expanded even further as three more Oregon counties have passed resolutions in support of the legislation.  Commissioners in Jefferson, Josephine and Malheur Counties have passed resolutions expressing the need for H.R. 4200, which was introduced by Walden and Congressman Brian Baird (D-WA) in November.  The bill would give federal land managers tools and authorities for timelier management, if necessary, of lands damaged by a catastrophic event.

"Local governments and communities in Oregon know all too well the devastation that catastrophic wildfire can have on both environmental quality and economic health.  Our district contains nine national forests and each of the twenty counties I represent is home to Forest Service or Bureau of Land Management lands, if not both.  As a result, federal land management policies have a tremendous impact on the environment and quality of life throughout central, southern and eastern Oregon," said Walden. 

He continued, "The Forest Emergency Recovery and Research Act would simply allow our professional, expert land managers in these areas to put their practical, hands-on experience to use in a timely and responsible manner following catastrophic events.  They would be able to more swiftly make decisions based on science, research and years of experience, addressing individual needs of specific forests damaged by wildfire, hurricane, ice storms or other catastrophic events." 

Resolutions in these three counties follow one approved by the Associated Oregon Counties, an umbrella organization for the state's 36 counties, and other individual resolutions passed by Deschutes and Jackson Counties in support of the Act.

The diverse list of individuals and organizations supporting the Forest Emergency Recovery and Research Act's responsible approach to federal land management continues to grow each week.  It includes, among others, Forest Service Chief Dale Bosworth, the U.S. Department of the Interior, Oregon State University College of Forestry Dean Hal Salwasser, former Oregon State Forester Jim Brown (who served from 1986-2003), the Society of American Foresters, the National Association of State Foresters, the Association of O&C Counties, the Evergreen Foundation, and the International Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies.

More information on H.R. 4200 can be found at http://thomas.loc.gov and at www.walden.house.gov.

Walden, 48, represents the people of Oregon's Second District, which covers more than 70,000 square miles of eastern, central and southern Oregon and includes nine national forests.  He was one of the original authors of the successful Healthy Forest Restoration Act which provides federal land managers with a quicker system to reduce the threat of fires around communities and throughout forests.