WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) questioned Chief of the U.S. Forest Service Vicki Christiansen about post-fire flooding, keeping local forest service offices open in Wyoming, and President Trump’s recent wildfire executive order.
Christiansen testified on the U.S. Forest Service’s (USFS) Fiscal Year 2020 budget proposal at today’s Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing.
On Post-Fire Flooding:
“Last year brought many challenges, but also some new opportunities.
“I know today we’ll mostly talk about the dangers of the fire season ahead, but we can’t forget the important role that active forest management plays in local economies and environmental health.
“We’ve had in Wyoming the Roosevelt Fire. It caused significant damage in the Hoback Ranch community in Wyoming last year when it burned more than 60,000 acres and destroyed more than 50 homes. I know you’re familiar with this.
“Unfortunately, the community is now bracing for even more damage during the spring runoff as the snow melts.
“Local conservation districts and one of your sister agencies, the Natural Resources Conservation Service, are waiting for the snow to melt just enough so they can begin the work that’s necessary to stabilize banks in the area.
“This work is critical to prevent huge loss of topsoil, to prevent contamination of downstream watersheds, and to prevent damage to the roads and the remaining infrastructure.
“My question to you is how do you coordinate with NRCS on projects like this now that there are basically two different undersecretaries overseeing the work?
Click here for video of Sen. Barrasso questioning Chief Christiansen about post-fire flooding.
On Wildfire Executive Order:
“At the end of last December, President Trump issued Executive Order 13855, which was titled: ‘Promoting Active Management of America’s Forests, Rangelands, and Other Federal Lands to Improve Conditions and Reduce Wildfire Risk.’
“The order directs the secretaries of Agriculture and the Interior to: ‘agree on a set of shared priorities with federal land managers, states, tribes, and other landowners to manage fire risk across landscapes.’
“To achieve this directive, the order instructs the secretaries to undertake a series of cooperative actions.
“Chief Christiansen, what work has the Forest Service completed so far, and then what are your next steps?
Click here for video of Sen. Barrasso questioning Chief Christiansen about wildfire executive order.
On Keeping Local Forest Service Offices Open:
“Over the last two years, the Forest Service has sought several opportunities to consolidate staffing levels or co-locate with other U.S. Department of Agriculture or land management agencies within the state of Wyoming.
“I appreciate your commitment to taking care of the resources that you have, and spending money where it is most useful.
“At the same time, I know you understand the need to maintain accessibility for the public to best serve the needs of the specific forest.
“As part of that infrastructure strategy, have you worked with the GSA, the General Services Administration, to find opportunities where we can streamline costs, like co-locating with other USDA agencies across the board, or is it just unique to Wyoming?”
Click here for video of Sen. Barrasso questioning Chief Christiansen about keeping local forest service offices open.
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