Freshman state Rep. Kathy Rapp, R-Warren, has been appointed to
the Legislative Forestry Task Force, an exclusive bi-partisan body
designed to advise the General Assembly on policies and legislation
relating to a wide variety of forest and timber industry
issues.
The announcement was made Wednesday by Rapp. The lawmaker will
serve on the task force for the remainder of the 2005-06
legislative session.
Rapp’s appointment to the task force – which is comprised of
four members, two each from the House and Senate – is pertinent
given a majority of her district lies within the boundaries of the
sprawling Allegheny National Forest.
“It’s no secret that Pennsylvania’s wooded areas provide
numerous economic and recreational benefits for all of our
residents,” Rapp said. “With the majority of the Allegheny National
Forest located in my legislative district, I could not be more
pleased with this appointment.
“I am greatly looking forward to building on the excellent
relationship I have already established with the U.S. Forest
Service and using my role on this task force to not only identify
cost-effective strategies to preserve our state’s over 17 million
acres of renewable forest land, but also to ensure that the 90,000
jobs that are directly dependent on the harvesting of forest
products continue to grow and thrive right here at home.”
According to Rapp, who is up for re-relection this year, the
task force will work in conjunction with the Joint Legislative Air
and Water Pollution Control and Conservation Committee.
Rapp said she was recommended for the task force by Rep. Scott
Hutchinson, R-Venango, who first informed her of the available
position a few months ago. Hutchinson also sits on the panel on the
House side.
“He had been talking to leadership and other people on the
committee about it,” Rapp said. “I then spoke with House Speaker
John Perzel, R-Philadelphia, and he informed me of that open seat.
Last week, I received a letter from the speaker informing me of my
appointment.”
Rapp said she will bring several strengths to the task force,
including her connections with Allegheny National Forest Supervisor
Kathleen Morse, loggers and environmentalists. Rapp said she also
has a good working relationship with U.S. Rep. John Peterson,
R-Pa., and U.S. Rep. Phil English of Erie, whose district now
includes a small section of the national forest.
It’s those connections that will enable Rapp to press forward
with legislation to bolster the state’s forest industry, according
to Hutchinson.
“With her proven strong interest in forestry issues and with the
extremely unique Allegheny hardwood and northern hardwood
forest-type in her literal backyard, I’m confident (Rapp) will be a
great advocate to strengthen a critical natural resource and vital
economic engine in our Commonwealth.”
Rapp said she was honored to be named to the task force, saying
“I want to see that our forests are there for multi-use.”
“I am a very strong supporter of the timber industry, but at the
same time, I want to make sure with the promotion of tourism in our
area right now, that we have forests out there for people to
visit,” Rapp said. “I believe tourism is a great resource for our
area.”
Among the issues the task force will likely be confronted with
are municipal ordinances and their impact on sustainable forestry;
prescribed burning management and forest regeneration; as well as
the consequences of government acquisition of private forest
lands.
The task force will meet on a quarterly basis, with the first
meeting slated for later this spring.
Rapp, whose district includes Warren, Forest and a portion of
McKean County, also serves on the House Aging and Older Adult
Services; Agriculture; Education; Environmental Resources and
Energy; Intergovernmental Affairs; State Government; and Veterans
Affairs and Emergency Preparedness committees.
