Senator Susan Collins, Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, called on April 30 for the United States Forest Service to quickly release funding to prevent the spread of spruce budworm in Maine. During a hearing on the Fiscal Year 2027 budget request, Collins asked Chief Tom Schultz to ensure timely deployment of resources for spraying during a critical window.
The issue is significant because Maine's forests cover eighty-eight percent of its land and support about 30,000 jobs across all counties. The threat from spruce budworm outbreaks could have serious effects on both forests and local economies. The Senate Appropriations Committee manages legislation related to federal funding and oversees government programs such as this one, according to the official website.
Collins said: "Maine, as you may know, is considered to be the most heavily forested state in the nation. Eighty-eight percent of our land is covered by forests. Our forest products industry supports approximately 30,000 jobs across all of Maine's 16 counties... That is why the threat posed by the outbreak in upper northern New England, and also Canada, of the spruce budworm is so critical." She added that she secured $14 million in supplemental appropriations for 2024 and another $10 million in proposed funding for fiscal year 2026.
Chief Schultz responded: "Madam Chairman, Senator Collins... I did have a call recently with Mr. Ingraham from Maine... And he shared with me the results from last year, and the efficacy rates were probably in excess of 90 percent exactly what you're stating." He confirmed that work was underway with state officials so funds would be available soon for contractors planning to spray within weeks.
The Senate Appropriations Committee oversees federal expenditures as mandated by law and ensures accountability in public money management according to its official website. It draws authority from constitutional requirements that funds are drawn only through appropriations made by law according to its official website. Historically chaired by figures such as Lot Morrill of Maine according to its official website, it has influenced federal spending on various issues including trade and international affairs according to its official website, and produces major bills like Homeland Security Appropriations Act according to its official website.
Collins concluded: "That is very good news, because as you know, there's a critical window there... if the spraying does not occur during that time you can't get ahead of it... So thank you for your commitment to get that money out."
