NASF applauds federal excess property resolution

WASHINGTON—The National Association of State Foresters applauds yesterday’s decision to fully restore transfers under the Federal Excess Property Program (FEPP) and the Firefighter Property Program (FFP) for wildland firefighting.

The Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reached an agreement Thursday that will enable transfers to resume without any encumbrance on title.

“We appreciate the hard work of all State Foresters who reached out to their delegations on this issue and to the Senate and House offices who moved this issue forward. The strong Congressional response was critical in achieving this resolution,” said Jay Farrell, executive director of the National Association of State Foresters.

“From 2008 to 2012, the Federal Excess Property and Firefighter Property programs delivered more than $150 million annually in equipment used to fight wildfires. With the programs fully reinstated, states and local fire departments can continue to acquire trucks, generators, pumps, engine parts, and other critically needed equipment to protect lives and property from wildfire.”

Earlier decisions to halt and, subsequently, resume transfers contained new requirements that the Department of Defense (DOD) would retain title to vehicles covered by a National Security Exemption (NSE) to the Clean Air Act. The earlier decisions caused serious concern about the future of the FEPP and FFP programs.

DLA committed to move quickly to resume the transfer and titles of excess military equipment covered by an NSE. Allowing transfer of title relieves the USDA Forest Service and State Foresters from a substantial new burden in tracking and ultimately returning vehicles to DOD.

Local departments can again invest in remanufacturing excess military equipment into wildfire apparatus with the knowledge that they hold full title to the vehicles.

Contact: Amanda Cooke at acooke@stateforesters.org and 202-624-5417


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