Department Of The Interior And Related Agencies Appropriations Act,
Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong support of the interior appropriations bill, and I want to commend the gentleman from North Carolina (Chairman Taylor) for putting together a balanced and fiscally responsible bill that meets the natural…
Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong support of the interior appropriations bill, and I want to commend the gentleman from North Carolina (Chairman Taylor) for putting together a balanced and fiscally responsible bill that meets the natural resources, recreational, energy and cultural needs of all Americans.
This bill does its part to contain Federal spending in that it adheres to the 302(b) budget allocation and provides nearly $200 million less than what was contained in the FY 2003 bill. At the same time, it sets priorities with increases in national parks operations and backlog maintenance, the national wildlife refuges and the national forest system. It provides funds for the weatherization program and increases the administration's request for the abandoned landmines program that is so important to Pennsylvania.
The bill provides $2.5 billion, with a B, for the National Fire Plan and includes substantial increases for fire fighting readiness, hazardous fuels reduction and State and community assistance.
I am particularly pleased that the bill provides $33 million dollars for Forest Service forest health initiatives, including funds to control and manage adelgids in the East.
The bill also contains language I support regarding the operation of the Northeast Home Heating Oil Reserve. I feel that the reserve has not been responsive enough to winter heating needs in the Northeast and may too narrowly define supply disruptions. The bill's report language will direct the committee on the circumstances and the various scenarios on which the reserve will be used.
To those who say the bill does not contain enough money for conservation and land acquisition, I would point out that the bill contains $1 billion for programs funded under the conservation spending category as well as other programs in the National Parks Wildlife Refuges, Federal forests and other areas that are important conservation efforts but do not technically fall under the conservation category.
In regard to land acquisition, we already own one-third of the United States. We need to manage that better before we buy new things. This is a balanced and responsible bill, and I commend the chairman for his leadership and urge my colleagues to give it their full support.
Mr. Chairman, will the gentleman yield?
Mr. Chairman, regarding funding for the U.S. Geological Survey's Minerals Assessment Team, there was confusion regarding whether this important activity was included in the bill. I have been informed that when the gentleman restored the mineral program, it also included the restoration of the Mineral Information Team Commodity reports.
Minerals and mineral products accounted for over $370 billion to the economy in 2002. This survey is the only institution, either public or private, that provides these important resource assessments, and I would ask the chairman if this is his understanding regarding the restoration of this important program.