HR 343 — CONGRESS: Memorializes Congress to oppose any effort to transfer, divest, privatize, or dispose of Kisatchie National Forest lands or otherwise remove such lands from federal ownership and management

HLSENROLLED 26RS-5920 ORIGINAL Regular Session HOUSE RESOLUTION NO.

343 BY REPRESENTATIVEREPRESENTATIVES FIRMENTFIRMENT, CONGRESS:BOUDREAUX, CARRIER, ROBBY CARTER, CHASSION,COATES,COX,DESHOTEL,DEVILLIER,DEWITT,DICKERSON, FARNUM, FISHER, FREIBERG, GLORIOSO, ILLG, JORDAN, LAFLEUR, LARVADAIN,MCMAHEN,OWEN,SCHAMERHORN,WILDER,ANDWILEY A RESOLUTION To memorialize the United States Congress to oppose to any effort to transfer, divest, privatize, or otherwise remove portions of the Kisatchie National Forest located within Grant Parish from federal public ownership;

Memorializes Congress to oppose anyeffort to transfer, divest, privatize, or dispose of Kisatchie National Forest lands or otherwise remove such lands from federal ownership and management A RESOLUTION To memorialize the United States Congress to oppose to any effort to transfer, divest, privatize, or otherwise remove portions of the Kisatchie National Forest located within Grant Parish from federal public ownership;

WHEREAS, the Kisatchie National Forest stands as one of Louisiana's greatest naturaltreasuresandrepresentsavastandirreplaceablelandscapeoftoweringpines,rolling hills, hardwoodbottoms,hardwood bottoms, winding creeks,pristinecreeks,pristinelakes,scenictrails,andabundantwildlife lakes,scenictrails,andabundantwildlife that together form a living testament to the beauty and spirit of central Louisiana;

and PageWHEREAS, 1the people of 4Grant HLSParish 26RS-5920have ORIGINALlong HRunderstood NO.that the Kisatchie National Forest is far more than merely public land, but is instead an essential part of the parish's identity, heritage, culture, economy, and way of life;

343and WHEREAS,Page the1 people of Grant4 ParishHR haveNO. long understood that the Kisatchie National Forest is far more than merely public land, but is instead an essential part of the parish's identity, heritage, culture, economy, and way of life;

and343 ENROLLED WHEREAS,countlessfamiliesthroughoutGrantParishhavebuiltlifelongmemories withintheforestthroughhunting,fishing,camping,hiking,horsebackriding,birdwatching, boating,trailriding,wildlifeobserving,andcountlessotheroutdoortraditionsthathavebeen lovingly passed down from one generation to the next;

and WHEREAS,theforests,streams,andwildernessareasofKisatchieprovidearefuge from the pressures of modern life and offer families, children, sportsmen, conservationists, veterans,and visitors alike the rareopportunityto experienceexperiencequiet quiet solitude, natural beauty, outdoor adventure, and a meaningful connection to God's creation;

and WHEREAS, recent discussions and proposals concerning the possible transfer of portions of the Kisatchie National Forest from federal ownership to ownership bythe state, locallocalgovernmentalentities, governmentalprivateinterests,or entities,other privateinterests,orothernonfederalownershipstructureshavenonfederalownershipstructureshave generated significant concern among the citizens of Grant Parish and throughout central Louisiana;

and WHEREAS, while the authors and supporters of such proposals may be motivated bysincereandwell-intendedconcernsregardinglandmanagement,economicdevelopment, local control, or governmental efficiency, the citizens of Grant Parish nevertheless firmly Pagebelievethatthelong-termrisksassociatedwithfragmentation,privatization,restrictedpublic 2access, commercial overdevelopment, and potential loss of 4conservation HLSprotections 26RS-5920outweigh ORIGINALany HRperceived NO.benefits of such transfers;

343 believethatthelong-termrisksassociatedwithfragmentation,privatization,restrictedpublic access, commercial overdevelopment, and potentialPage loss2 of conservation4 protectionsHR outweighNO. any perceived benefits of such transfers;

and343 ENROLLED WHEREAS, the desire of the people of Grant Parish is not the reduction or divestiture of the KisatchieKisatchieNationalForest, National Forest, but ratherrenewedinvestment in the forest and its surrounding communities through enhanced recreational infrastructure, expanded family-friendlyactivities,improvedcampgroundsandtrails,increasedconservationefforts, tourism promotion, and greater opportunities for outdoor education and public enjoyment;

and WHEREAS, the Kisatchie NationalForestNational Forest representsa sacredinheritanceentrusted to the currentgenerationcurrent generation for carefulstewardship and preservationpreservationso so that future generations may continue to experience the same freedom, beauty, outdoor traditions, and sense of wonder that have defined life in Grant Parish for decades.

BEITFURTHERRESOLVEDthattheHouseofRepresentativesurgesandrequests increased federal and state investment in outdoor recreation, tourism, conservation, trails, campgrounds,youthprograms,family-orientedactivities,wildlifehabitatmanagement,and Pageother 3initiatives ofdesigned 4to HLSmaximize 26RS-5920the ORIGINALtremendous HRrecreational NO.and economic potential associated with the Kisatchie National Forest in Grant Parish.

343Page other3 initiativesof designed4 toHR maximizeNO. the tremendous recreational and economic potential associated with the Kisatchie National Forest in Grant Parish.

343 ENROLLED BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the United States secretary of Agriculture, the chief of the United States Forest Service, the presiding officers of the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Congress of the United States of America, and to each member of the Louisiana congressional delegation.

DIGESTSPEAKER ThedigestprintedbelowwaspreparedbyHouseLegislativeOF Services.THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Page 4 of 4

It constitutes nopart of the legislative instrument.

The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent.

[R.S.

1:13(B) and 24:177(E)] HR 343 Original 2026 Regular Session Firment Memorializes the U.S.

Congress to oppose to any effort to transfer, divest, privatize, or otherwiseremoveportionsoftheKisatchieNationalForestlocatedwithinGrantParishfrom federal public ownership;

recognizes the extraordinary natural, cultural, recreational, and historical importance of the Kisatchie National Forest to Grant Parish and the state of Louisiana;

expresses the unwavering opposition of any transfer efforts by the citizens of Grant Parish and the state of Louisiana;

and urges increased federal and state investment in outdoorrecreation,conservation,tourism,andfamily-friendlyopportunitiesassociatedwith the forest.

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