ARIZONA, COLORADO, NEW MEXICO TEAM UP
TO PROTECT FORESTS, REDUCE WILDFIRE RISK

EMGARGOED FOR RELEASE
June 13, 2005
1:30 p.m. MDT

Contact: Paul Orbuch (303) 623-9378 ext. 125

Breckenridge, Colo. – Governors from Arizona, Colorado and New Mexico today signed a charter creating a three-state institute designed to protect forests and prevent catastrophic fires in Western states.

The Southwest Ecological Restoration Institutes (SWERI) is a partnership between the three states and will involve work by Northern Arizona University, Colorado State University and New Mexico Highlands University. The charter was signed during the annual meeting of the Western Governors' Association in Breckenridge, Colorado.

“In Arizona, we lived through the Rodeo-Chediski fire, the largest in southwestern history. We know, first-hand, what happens when our forests are overgrown and neglected,” said Gov. Janet Napolitano of Arizona, WGA’s Vice Chair. “This is an important step toward smart, effective forest management and fire prevention.”

The SWERI was authorized by Congress in October of last year, and is authorized for $15 million in federal funds. Member states and universities will share knowledge and research, and will develop, promote and monitor forest restoration treatments.

Manny Aragon, President, New Mexico Highlands University; Joanna Prukop, Secretary, NM Dept. Energy, Minerals & Natural Resources; Gov. Bill Owens; Gov. Janet Napolitano; John Haeger; President, Northern Arizona University& Tony Frank, Senior Vice President and Interim Provost, Colorado State University. Photo by Donn Bruns. Click on photo for larger image.

Colorado Governor Bill Owens, WGA Chairman, said, “The intense forest fires Colorado has faced during the recent drought have threatened lives and destroyed many homes and forest ecosystems. It is essential we work collaboratively with our neighboring states to develop effective forest management tools that protect our citizens and the health of our forests, while preserving our recreational and forest product needs.”

Gov. Bill Richardson of New Mexico, who was unable to attend today’s signing ceremony, but issued the following statement: “The region’s forests are an important part of our history and economy. I want to see a larger investment in training and research that will help us restore native ecosystems that are naturally resistant to fire, while we also provide for community forest products needs.”

Also attending today’s ceremony was Northern Arizona University President John D. Haeger.

“Arizona and NAU’s Ecological Restoration Institute have long been national leaders in forest restoration and wildfire abatement,” he said. “Collaborations with other states and universities who also are at the forefront of forest research will help ensure ecologically healthy communities for future generations.”

Forests in the Western United States have been under stress for decades. An estimated 90 percent, or roughly 73 million acres, of ponderosa pine and mixed conifer forests are considered at moderate or high risk for unnatural, catastrophic fire. Well-designed forest restoration treatments reduce the threat of wildfire and reinvigorate forest health and wildlife habitat.

The health and restoration of forests is a top priority of the Western Governors’ Association, and additional information is available on the Web at www.westgov.org. Napolitano, WGA’s incoming chair, has also made obtaining sufficient federal support for the care of forest land an ongoing priority of her administration. For more information about the Governor’s Forest Health Council, visit http://www.governor.state.az.us.

The Western Governors’ Association is an independent, nonprofit organization representing the governors of 18 states and three U.S.-Flag islands in the Pacific. Through their Association, the Western governors identify and address key policy and governance issues in natural resources, the environment, human services, economic development, international relations and public management.
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