World Report: December 12, 2003 Vol. 9 Iss. 11
- This Issue:
- Table of Contents
- Cover Story
- Cover Story - Spanish Version
- Mini-Lesson
- Comprehension Quiz
- Teacher's Guide and Worksheets
Will a New Law Save Trees?
After October's deadly wildfires in southern California, government officials and forestry experts agreed to look for ways to cut the risk of future fires. Last week, President George W. Bush signed a new law allowing more funds for the removal of dry underbrush and dead timber in areas at high risk of fire.
"This law will not prevent every fire, but it is an important step forward," the President said before signing the Healthy Forest Restoration Act. He stood with some firefighters who had battled California's deadly blazes.
The law authorizes the government to spend up to $760 million to thin out trees and underbrush on 20 million acres of federal land. That is $340 million more than is currently spent. At least half of that money must be used to clear hazardous timber and brush near homes and towns. This year's fires in California killed 22 people as they raged through neighborhoods.
Critics worry that the new law allows timber companies to cut down too many trees.
"This is about increasing commercial logging with less environmental oversight," said forest expert Sean Cosgrove of the Sierra Club. Still, he said, the new rules may also help keep forest fires from breaking out.
