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Hudson Continues Strong Support of Uwharrie Forest

September 6, 2017
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 6, 2017
Hudson Continues Strong Support of Uwharrie Forest
WASHINGTON, D.C.– Today, U.S. Representative Richard Hudson (NC-08) spoke on the House floor to advocate on behalf of the Uwharrie Forest and to call for the prioritization of funding for the U.S. Forest Service’s Capital Improvement and Maintenance account. This program provides funding to pave National Forest roads, such as those within the Uwharrie National Forest.
Please see below for a transcript and click here to view his full remarks.
Thank you, Chairman Calvert. I would like to begin by expressing my appreciation to Chairman Frelinghuysen and Interior Subcommittee Chairman Calvert for their strong leadership and good work on this legislation and thank them for this opportunity to speak today.
I rise to advocate on behalf of our U.S. National Forests and their upkeep, specifically through the Capital Improvement and Maintenance program. This program provides funding to pave our National Forest roads, such as those within the Uwharrie National Forest located in my district.
Each year, the U.S. Forest Service is given funding to maintain roadways across our nation. While they do their best to sustain roadways and trail access points, they can only do so much with the resources they’re given. These roadways are an integral part of ensuring critical public access to U.S. Forest lands.
Unfortunately, many of our national forest roadways have become severely eroded from travel, age and the elements. The erosion has created problems for those who visit the Uwharrie National Forest, as well as those who access these roads to travel to and from their homes. First responders have also not been able to reach residents in emergencies due to road conditions in recent years, causing major safety risks for people who live along these roads.
And I emphasize, this is more than just a headache for these residents, it’s a real safety issue. I’ve seen these roads firsthand after storms, and there’s no way fire trucks and ambulances can access these roads in their current condition. And I believe it is completely unacceptable.
I have been advocating on behalf of the Uwharrie National Forest since my first term in Congress and will continue to engage with local, state and federal stakeholders on this issue. I appreciate Chairman Calvert’s attention to this issue and his support for the Capital Improvement and Maintenance program. Mr. Chairman, I look forward to working together to find a long term solution to this issue.”
In March, Rep. Hudson sent a letter to Office of Management and Budget Director Mick Mulvaney requesting the paving of three National Forest Roads in the Uwharrie be included in President Trump’s FY 2018 budget. In addition, Rep. Hudson advocated for robust funding for the U.S. Forest Service’s Capital Improvement and Maintenance account. This program provides funding to pave National Forest roads, such as those within the Uwharrie National Forest. Rep. Hudson has been advocating on behalf of the Uwharrie National Forest since his first term in Congress. In April 2014, he was successful in getting Secretary of Agriculture Vilsack and the U.S. Forest Service to agree to fixing the roads in the Uwharrie Forest that had been severely damaged by rains and flooding.
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