FINDINGS.

SEC. 602. FINDINGS. The Congress finds the following: (1) A century of fire suppression, logging, and livestock grazing has altered the ecological balance of New Mexico’s forests. (2) Some forest lands in New Mexico contain an unnaturally high number of small diameter trees that are subject to large, high intensity wildfires that can endanger human lives, livelihoods, and ecological stability. (3) Forest lands that contain an unnaturally high number of small diameter trees have reduced biodiversity and provide fewer benefits to human communities, wildlife, and watersheds. (4) Healthy and productive watersheds minimize the threat of large, high intensity wildfires, provide abundant and diverse wildlife habitat, and produce a variety of timber and non-timber products including better quality water and increased water flows. (5) Restoration efforts are more successful when there is involvement from neighboring communities and better stewardship will evolve from more diverse involvement. (6) Designing demonstration restoration projects through a collaborative approach may— (A) lead to the development of cost effective restoration activities; (B) empower diverse organizations to implement activities which value local and traditional knowledge; (C) build ownership and civic pride; and (D) ensure healthy, diverse, and productive forests and watersheds.