Senate leaders unanimously approved the creation of a separate source of funding for federal agencies to suppress large-scale wildfires via an amendment to the Interior Appropriations bill last week. The Federal Land Assistance Management and Enhancement Fund ("FLAME" fund) is designed to alleviate funding problems caused by emergency wildland fire costs and is supported by NASF and more than 100 other industry, environmental, outdoor recreation, and forestry organizations.
"NASF applauds the overwhelming support the FLAME fund has received in the House and the unanimous support demonstrated in the Senate," said Steven W. Koehn, NASF President and State Forester of Maryland. "As the Interior bill moves through the legislative process, we strongly urge House and Senate conferees to uphold the intent of the FLAME amendment to ensure its ability to solve one of the nation’s most pressing forest conservation problems."