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Press Release |
Governors Successful in Seeking Release of Wildfire Suppression Funds; Prevention Funding Remains Critical
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 15, 2002
Contact: Karen Deike or Paul Orbuch 303-623-9378
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DENVER -- Western governors today thanked the Office of Management and Budget for agreeing to their request to release $348 million in emergency funding to suppress wildfires and pay for debts from last year. “We are pleased that OMB has released these emergency funds, which we had requested as part of our long-term strategy to respond to the catastrophic fires that have devastated communities, destroyed homes and harmed forest and range lands,” said Gov. Jane Dee Hull of Arizona, Western Governors' Association Chairman. Govs. Dirk Kempthorne of Idaho and John Kitzhaber of Oregon are co-lead governors on the issue for WGA. Hull thanked Kempthorne for his personal efforts in working with the White House, OMB and Congress to ensure the bulk of the funding would be made available before the start of the fire season.Hull also thanked Reps. Norm Dicks (Wash.), David Obey (Wis.), Joe Skeen (N.M.) and C.W. Bill Young (Fla.) and Sen. Conrad Burns (Mont.) for their efforts in getting the funds released.“While in Washington recently, I discussed this matter with President Bush and told him this is a priority for Idaho and the West,” Kempthorne said.“I’m pleased to see the administration understood the importance of this funding. Cost savings will come by a proactive approach to removing fuel in forests that are overgrown and may be facing catastrophic fires once again.” Approximately $80 million of the total amount is not authorized for spending until July, which may be too late to initiate critical measures to prevent fires, particularly when many states are facing a drought. Kitzhaber said vital, on-the-ground planning and prevention activities need to begin soon. “The planning must begin immediately,” Kitzhaber said. “Critical activities related to hazardous fuel reduction, public outreach and environmental review cannot wait until July when the fire season will be in full swing.” The Western Governors’ Association is an independent, nonprofit organization representing the governors of 18 states, American Samoa, Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands. 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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