portion of our forests in a way that supports jobs in the Pacific Northwest and protects not just rural communities from wildfire but also the Northern Spotted Owl from a staggering level of habitat loss due to wildfire.” “It is imperative that Secretary Haaland resume the revision of the critical habitat designation of the Northern Spotted Owl, originally implemented by the Trump Administration, for the sake of the species and the neighboring wildlife. By redesignating the habitat, the Federal Government will be authorized to responsibly manage the surrounding 1.1 million acres of land that is currently overstocked and unnaturally dense, decreasing the likelihood of out-of-control wildfires during the summer months. I urge Secretary Haaland to implement the critical habitat designation rule change immediately,” said House Natural Resources Committee Ranking Member Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.). “Instead of locking up our land, we should empower locally-led conservation efforts for species like the Northern Spotted Owl and continue to make commonsense improvements like updating critical habitat designations. Representative Bentz is already proving to be a strong leader on species and land management – two major priorities for the Pacific Northwest. I am proud to support this effort to ensure we can effectively care for our lands and our wildlife,” said Congressional Western Caucus Chairman Dan Newhouse (R-Wash.). “The Northern Spotted Owl was listed as an Endangered Species more than 30 years ago. On the federal government’s watch, the population has severely declined, timber mills have gone out of business, and we have seen increased catastrophic wildfires that have burned up the owl’s habitat and harmed Western communities. Extremist environmentalists opposing active forest management don’t have the owl or the American people’s best interests at heart. In 2020, Colorado had the three largest fires in state history, one of which was in my district. We need to do more to prevent dangerous wildfires before they get started, not less. I applaud Congressman Bentz for his leadership on this important issue. The January 2021 rule should be issued without further delay,” said Representative Lauren Boebert (R-CO). The full list of cosigners on the letter include Representatives Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.), Dan Newhouse (R-Wash.), Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-Wash.), Doug LaMalfa (R-Calif.), Jay Obernolte (R-Calif.), Tom McClintock (R-Calif.), Lauren Boebert (R-CO), and Jaime Herrera Beutler (R-Wash.). n
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April 2021 | The Business Review
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