State Foresters across the nation applaud the Senate Agriculture Committee’s bipartisan work this morning to advance the landmark “Fix Our Forests Act” out of committee today, and we look forward to its timely consideration and passage on the Senate Floor.
“State forestry agencies play a lead role, not only with the 550 million+ acres of state and private forest land they manage and protect but also on the federal lands they work to improve through cross-boundary partnerships nationwide. State Foresters are responsible for wildfire protection on more than 1.5 billion acres and, in collaboration with local fire departments, respond to 80 percent of the nation’s wildland fires. NASF greatly appreciates the work of the Senate Agriculture Committee and the bill’s original sponsors – Senators Sheehy, Curtis, Hickenlooper, and Padilla – in charting a path forward to greatly enhance wildfire management and recovery efforts. This is an important step towards stemming the tide of disastrous wildfires that threaten our nation’s forests and the livelihood of communities that depend on them.” — Jason Hartman, Kansas State Forester and President of the National Association of State Foresters