Congress is considering bills that would begin to address management of the federal fire supression budget in a way that would not afffect fish and wildlife agencies' discretionary appropriations. With increased fire events occurring that are more catastrophic, agencies are compelled to dedicate existing budgets to fire suppression with the hope that Congress appropriates emergency reimbursement funds. However, fire funds borrowed from budgets for activities such as fish and wildlife management are seldom returned to original levels. In addition, more of the FS budget is being directed at fire supression activities than ever before... 48% of the FY09 budget is proposed. It is apparent that the federal agencies can no longer provide for wildfire suppression costs from within their agency budget allocations. The Association has long encouraged Congress to resolve this and in our FY2009 appropriations recommendations, continue to do so.
The House Natural Resources Committee recently reported its Committee bill HR5541 to the floor, while accepting and incorporating some provisions from HR5648 from Cong Goodlatte, Ranking member of House Agriculture Committee. The Assocition and several fish and wildlife conservation organizations have expressed our support for the remedy reflected by both bills. At this time, it is not clear whether the House Agriculture Committee will hear HR5648 before HR5541 is brought to a floor vote, but; the Natural Resources Committee leadership hopes to have the House consider HR5541 before summer fire season.
For more information, contact cnews@fishwildlife.org.
