Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee

The preparedness of Federal land management agencies for the 2009 wildfire season

366 Dirksen
Tue, 21 Jul 2009 14:00:00 GMT

The purpose of the hearing is to consider the preparedness of Federal land management agencies for the 2009 wildfire season and to receive testimony on S. 561 and H.R. 1404, the Federal Land Assistance, Management and Enhancement Act.

E&E News
The panel also will hear testimony about S. 561, which was introduced by Chairman Jeff Bingaman (D-N.M.). The “Federal Land Assistance, Management and Enhancement Act,” or FLAME Act, would establish a dedicated fund for Forest Service and Interior emergency fire suppression activities separate from regularly budgeted firefighting funding. Catastrophic fires make up a very small percentage of the blazes the Forest Service fights but account for most of its costs.

Companion legislation, H.R. 1404, was introduced by House Natural Resources Chairman Nick Rahall (D-W.Va.) and in March passed the full House by an overwhelming 412-3 vote. Similar legislation also passed in the House easily last year but stalled in the Senate.

Witnesses
  • Jay Jensen, deputy undersecretary for natural resources and the environment, Department of Agriculture
  • Rhea Suh, assistant secretary for policy, management and budget, Department of the Interior
  • Patricia Dalton, managing director for natural resources and environment, GAO
  • Max Peterson, former Forest Service chief
  • Leah MacSwords, president of the National Association of State Foresters