RECOGNIZING THE VISION OF JOHN W. WEEKS AND HIS CONTRIBUTION TO THE CONSERVATION MOVEMENT; Congressional Record Vol. 156, No. 70
(Extensions of Remarks - May 11, 2010)
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[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E808]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
RECOGNIZING THE VISION OF JOHN W. WEEKS AND HIS CONTRIBUTION TO THE
CONSERVATION MOVEMENT
______
HON. JAMES P. MORAN
of virginia
in the house of representatives
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Mr. MORAN of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I am on the floor today
acknowledging the upcoming 100th year anniversary of the passage of the
Weeks Act, a significant conservation achievement in the history of the
United States. John W. Weeks, a Republican Congressman from the
Commonwealth of Massachusetts, was relentless in his efforts to pass
this legislation, which authorized the federal purchase of cutover and
denuded forestlands in the headwaters of navigable streams for the
purpose of conserving the flow of streams and rivers and to restore
lands for future timber production. Despite a fierce two year battle,
Rep. Weeks was successful and the Weeks Act cleared Congress on March
1, 1911.
At the turn of the 19th century, vast amounts of private forested
land in the eastern United States had been ravaged by clear cut
logging. In the absence of trees, vast areas of the East were prone to
flooding and soil erosion, as well as destructive forest fires. No
longer productive, these lands were often abandoned and came into state
and local ownership for nonpayment of taxes. To bring these lands back
from the ecological brink, Rep. John Weeks introduced legislation
directing the federal government to relieve state and local governments
from managing these lands and restore them to their former condition.
Today 26 eastern states are home to 52 National Forests encompassing
almost 25 million acres. These forests provide significant economic
benefits. Not only are the forests recreational sanctuaries, they are
also a major contributor in keeping America's drinking water clean.
Many eastern municipal water supplies depend on National Forest
watersheds and currently $450 billion in food and fiber, manufactured
goods, and tourism depends on clean water and healthy watersheds. In
addition, the timber supply managed by the Forest Service provides a
significant monetary benefit. The timber resource was almost
nonexistent when the federal government purchased the land, but today
these lands host an estimated 42 billion cubic feet of growing stock
and about 210 billion board feet of saw timber.
With this resolution we recognize and commemorate the vision of John
W. Weeks and his contribution to the conservation effort. Both
Republicans and Democrats recognized the importance of federal
government in conserving the forests and the water supply for long term
environmental goals. Today I encourage both Congress and the Forest
Service to begin preparing a centennial celebration commemorating this
major bipartisan accomplishment. Our 52 National Forests in 26 eastern
states may never have existed if the Weeks Act of 1911 had not been
passed.
I encourage my colleagues to support this resolution.
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