For at least 2,000 years, magnificent redwood forests towered above the nation's Pacific Coast, sheltering a rich array of plants and animals. Today, however, less than 5 percent of these ecologically important old-growth forests remain. Often, the remnants are located in the headwaters of the region`s rivers, areas critical to the survival of endangered salmon and birds such as the Spotted Owl and Marbled Murrelet.

To protect these old-growth forests, Rep. Dan Hamburg (D-CA) introduced the Headwaters Forest Act (H.R. 2866) It authorizes the U.S. Forest Service to acquire -- through purchase, donation, or land exchange -- one of the Iargest remaining unprotected redwood forests in the world, including 6,000 acres of ancient redwood groves in California's Headwaters Forest Grove.

The League of Conservation Voters considers cosponsorship of H.R. 2866 to be an important pro-environment action. So far, 138 lawmakers have cosponsored the bill.