Testimony

At a virtual hearing held by the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources today, Washington State Forester George Geissler testified on behalf of NASF as to the status of wildfire suppression operations and policies given current COVID-19 considerations. The COVID-19 pandemic has posed significant challenges for wildland fire professionals, including, but certainly not limited [read more]

On March 14, the  Coalition Against Forest Pests, of which the National Association of State Foresters  is a member, submitted testimony to the  Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment and Related Agencies asking for its  support in  adequately funding  programs that help keep the nation’s forests healthy by preventing introduction and spread of invasive pests. [read more]

On March 6, 2020, the National Association of State Foresters submitted testimony to the House Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies regarding fiscal year (FY) 2021 funding for the USDA Forest Service. Click the link below to read NASF submitted testimony in full.

Yesterday (June 13) Alaska State Forester Chris Maisch testified before the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. In his oral and written testimony (linked below), Maisch relayed the following statistics and key points: State contributions to wildland fire prevention, mitigation, and suppression State forestry agencies contribute tremendously in resources and personnel to wildland fire [read more]

The National Association of State Foresters has submitted its Fiscal Year (FY) 2020 appropriations recommendations for key federal state and private forestry programs to the House Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies. Click the link below for a full copy of the testimony or visit www.stateforesters.org/appropriations for more information about state [read more]

Texas, Montana state foresters relay to Congress the dire need for more hazardous fuel treatments. WASHINGTON—State Foresters Tom Boggus of Texas and Sonya Germann of Montana stressed the health benefits of minimizing the scale and severity of wildfires before the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Environment yesterday. “There has been virtually no area of [read more]

By Parker Jones Wyoming State Forester and NASF immediate past president Bill Crapser testified this morning at Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee hearing on a legislative discussion draft of  the Wildfire Prevention and Mitigation Act of 2017. Crapser spoke about the need for active forest management on federal forest lands. The draft bill includes expanded uses for [read more]

By Parker Jones Today Jim Karels, Florida State Forester and Chair of the NASF Wildland Fire Committee, testified before the United States House of Representatives' Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Environment. Along with three other witnesses, Karels provided insight on active forest management techniques and other ways to prevent catastrophic wildfire.  The focus of the hearing was [read more]

The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee will hold a hearing tomorrow about the Wildfire Budgeting, Response and Forest Management Act of 2016 discussion draft. California State Forester Ken Pimlott will testify on behalf of NASF; check back on the NASF blog tomorrow for the full testimony. In terms of fire transfers and borrowing, NASF appreciates the [read more]

By Greg Pilchak On May 31st, Alaska State Forester Chris Maisch testified at the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Field Hearing in Kenai, Alaska. Maisch detailed the impacts of the 2015 fire season and offered recommendations for minimizing the negative impacts of wildfire on public safety and recreation, while at the same time [read more]