PASSAGE OF WILDFIRE AMENDMENT A VICTORY FOR STATES STRUGGLING TO PREVENT, RECOVER FROM FIRE

The following press release was published by the Senate Committee On Energy & Natural Resources on March 21, 2003. It is reproduced in full below.

Washington, D.C. - Energy and Natural Resources Chairman Pete Domenici hailed today’s passage of an amendment to the Budget Resolution that would increase the National Fire Plan by $500 million above the original Chairman’s Mark of the budget. The bipartisan plan increases FY2004 funding for the National Fire Plan from $2.6 billion to $3.1 billion. The money would be used for wildfire prevention and suppression as well as reforestation and rehabilitation following fire. Chairman Domenici cosponsored the amendment. Chairman Domenici’s statement: “I am very pleased with today’s vote. I have been an outspoken advocate for increased wildfire funding. I am particularly concerned about the millions of scorched acres still waiting to be replanted. We have lost 18 million acres to fire in recent years - and much of it is still seared and bare. That’s an untenable state of affairs. I will continue to work for the needed funding to restore this land in the FY2004 appropriations process."

Source: Senate Committee On Energy & Natural Resources