“In the face of this emergency, the Administration must ignore politics, and focus on results.”

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) criticized the Administration for not addressing the serious bark beetle epidemic in Wyoming and the Intermountain West.  The following are excerpts from his remarks at the Senate Public Lands and Forests Subcommittee Legislative hearing:

“We’re facing an unprecedented forest health epidemic. 3.5 million acres of forest in Wyoming are infested by bark beetle. The infestation totals 17.5 million acres across the West.

“This situation is presenting many challenges.  Two-hundred and sixty communities in Wyoming are considered ‘at risk’ for wild land fire.

“This is a natural disaster unlike any we have faced before.  This Administration must respond accordingly.

“I am deeply disappointed to see that the President’s budget does not allocate a single penny to addressing this multi-state emergency.

“I want to know how this Administration is going to meet its responsibility to the people of my state—and the entire Intermountain West.

“Funding is not our only challenge in the face of this infestation. We must also address long-term, efficient management of our forests.

“In the face of this emergency, the Administration must ignore politics, and focus on results.

“The Forest Service should utilize all available management authorities that will mitigate bark beetle effects.”