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Press Release |
Western Governors: Congressional support
critical to reducing wildfire risks
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 5, 2004
Contact: Kevin Moran (202-624-5402) or Paul Orbuch (303-623-9378)
| WASHINGTON, D.C. - Gov. Judy Martz of Montana,
on behalf of Western governors, submitted testimony today to a House
governmental reform subcommittee saying it is critical Congress
continue to support forest health initiatives as the West braces
itself for another devastating wildfire season.
"While we are all hoping that this fire season will be less destructive than those of the past four years, it does not appear that the overall situation is getting better," Martz advised the House Government Reform Subcommittee on Energy Policy, Natural Resources and Regulatory Affairs. "Unless all levels of government and the public continue to work closely together, we may soon find that what would have been seen as an extraordinary fire season in the past will start to be considered routine." Martz noted that the Western Governors' Association was instrumental in pulling together a wide variety of interests to develop a 10-year strategy and implementation plan to reduce wildland fire risks following the catastrophic wildfire season in 2000. One component of the implementation plan was identifying and prioritizing communities at risk to catastrophic wildfire. Using guidance developed by the Wildland Fire Leadership Council, more than 3,000 treatments for hazardous fuel and restoration projects covering nearly 2 million acres have been recommended for this year. The actual target acres and treatments, however, will depend on congressional appropriations, Martz said. Martz said there are many examples of ongoing federal, state and local stakeholder activities devoted to reducing the risks of wildfires that have been authorized by Congress. "We are hopeful that in utilizing these new authorities; with continued attention by Congress; continued collaboration and cooperation between federal agencies, states and local stakeholders; and with adequate funding, we will continue to make progress toward fixing this problem," Martz concluded. A family emergency prevented Gov. Martz from testifying in person before the committee. Her written testimony can be found on the WGA Web site at www.westgov.org. 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 governors identify and address key policy and governance issues in natural resources, the environment, human services, economic development, international relations and public management. Additional information about WGA is available on the Web at www.westgov.org. # # # # # |