Hudson Demands Repair of Uwharrie Forest Roads

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 3, 2014

Hudson Demands Repair of Uwharrie Forest Roads

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today U.S. Representative Richard Hudson (NC-08), Member of the House Agriculture Committee, demanded that the U.S. Forest Service fix the roads in the Uwharrie Forest that have been severely damaged due to heavy rains and flooding.

To view the video, please click here.

Rep. Hudson’s remarks and question to Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack are below:

Mr. HUDSON: “MR. SECRETARYFirst I’d like to echo the comments of my colleagues to thank you and your staff for your hard work implementing the Farm Bill. I know it’s a huge undertaking, but I appreciate that very much, and thank you for being here with us today so we can talk about some important issues.

I would also like to acknowledge a special guest I have here with me today, Mrs. Linda Andrews, from the North Carolina Farm Bureau. Linda, and her boss, Mr. Larry Wooten, are valuable assets to our farmers in North Carolina and work very closely with my office and I appreciate her being here today.

My question to you, Mr. Secretary, is regarding the Uwharrie Forest, which is, you I’m sure are aware, is located primarily in Montgomery County, but also extends into Randolph and Davidson Counties, in North Carolina in my District. I understand from our folks on the ground that the forest roads have sustained a lot of very serious damage due to heavy rains and flooding over the last few months.

In some cases, these roads are completely impassable to our residents, tourists and first responders. Needless to say, this is a very serious concern of mine and I want to find a resolution as quickly as possible. I know that quick fixes in Washington sometimes can seem like an oxymoron, but I believe we can find ways to prioritize spending within the Forest Service to accomplish these type tasks. We simply must fix these roads, MR. SECRETARY. It’s more than a headache for our residents, it’s really a safety issue, having access.

Mr. SECRETARY, can you explain to me briefly how the funding stream works through the forest regions when it comes to road projects like this that may be of an emergency nature?”

Mr. SECRETARY VILSACK OFFERS HIS TESTIMONY INDICATING ROADS WILL RECEIVE NEEDED ATTENTION BY LATE SPRING.

Mr. HUDSON: “I thank you for that, and I’m committed to working with you on this issue. I know how important it is. My staff has reached out to Chief Tidwell at the Forest Service and we appreciate his cooperation with us. I appreciate your commitment to get that gravel spread out and get those roads active again. On behalf of my constituents, I thank you. And Mr. CHAIRMAN, with that I yield back.”

Rep. Hudson questioned Sec. Vilsack at a House Agriculture Committee hearing: Review the State of the Rural Economy. At the hearing, Sec. Vilsack committed to repairing the damaged roads in the Uwharrie Forest.

###