125th Morrison Congress

2nd Session

S. 125-017

Title of the Bill: Protection of the Forests Act

Main Author(s): Sen. Justin Hung (D-CA)

Co-Sponsor(s):

BE IT ENACTED BY THE MORRISON CONGRESS

1 SECTION 1: Findings
2 Congress makes the following findings:
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4 1) 3.5 billion to 7 billion trees are cut down per year in the United States due to
5 manmade industries
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7 2) Timber harvesting (37%), agricultural expansion (28%),construction of roads
8 for resource mining and extraction, pipelines, and power lines (12%) and
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10 expansion of transportation networks via roads (2%)
11 3) Trees play a crucial role supporting life across the globe, producing oxygen
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and absorbing climate change-causing carbon dioxide.
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14 4) Trees improve air quality by acting as natural air filters removing dust, smoke
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and fumes from the atmosphere by trapping them on their leaves, branches
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17 and trunks.
18 5) Just 1 hectare of beech woodland can extract 4 tonnes of dust per year from
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20 the atmosphere.
21 6) Each year a mature tree produces enough oxygen for 10 people.
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23 7) Trees provide habitats and shelter for a large number of animals and plants.
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25 SECTION 2: Purpose
26 This bill provides that government funding will go into protecting forests in the United
27 States; ensuring that there will be a tighter and more secure lookout and care for
28 the nations forests.
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30 We plan to fine companies who cut down or destroy forest areas for their own gain
31 with an appropriate percentage from their annual income. The taxes will act like a
32 fine and a warning signal to remind companies that they should not log, destroy, etc.
this part of forest area.
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34 SECTION 3: General Provisions
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36 To ensure that forests areas are protected from over logging, destroyed greatly, etc.
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38 To ensure that the forest environment is free from human harm
39 To ensure that companies who destroy forest areas will be fined
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43 SECTION 4: Definitions
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45 EPA- Environmental Protection Agency
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ATFP- American Tree Farm Program
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48 EE - Environmental Education
49 FCMP - Forest Conservation and Management Program
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51 FCDB - Forest Conservancy District Boards
52 FIA - Forest Inventory and Analysis
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Works Cited:

IntactForests.org
https://www.ran.org/how_many_trees_are_cut_down_every_year
https://www.greenandgrowing.org/many-trees-cut-each-year-help/
https://news.mongabay.com/2015/09/how-many-trees-are-cut-down-every-
year/
https://www.wired.com/2017/05/trees-will-die-will/