UDALL OUTLINES WILDFIRE PREVENTION BILL

Summit Daily News ^ | Feb. 21, 2001 | Jane Stebbins

[madfly]

SUMMIT COUNTY - U.S. Rep. Mark Udall, D-Colo., will introduce legislation this week to expedite the process of thinning forests to reduce wildfire risks and protect water supplies in areas prone to fires.

Udall's bill, the Forest Restoration and Fire Risk Reduction Act, would create advisory panels whose members - representing the U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, park service, fish and wildlife and others - will select areas where restoration and fuel reduction projects should take place.

"We've made efforts to reduce the risks of catastrophic fire and promote better forest management through fuel reduction and thinning programs, but progress has been slow," he said. "Also, many projects in the National Fire Plan are in areas that don't pose the greatest threat to people and property."

The National Fire Plan permits categorical exclusions (CEs) that exempt projects from forest-use guidelines by which agencies would normally be required to abide.

Usually, Udall said, CEs involve small parcels of land - and Colorado's dense, aging forests need to be treated on a larger scale.

Environmentalists often oppose CEs, saying they sidestep the many studies needed to ensure the environment will be protected. Udall said using CEs to delineate areas where forests should be thinned will result in lawsuits.

"Categorical exclusions, when you get further into what they mean, are used for smaller projects, like cutting Christmas trees or mowing lawns at the courthouse," Udall said. "They use categorical exclusions to move projects more quickly through NEPA (National Environment Policy Act)."

Udall's plan, which he outlined in a conference call Thursday, would complement tree-thinning measures already under way in the South Platte area of Colorado where the Hayman fire - the worst fire in the state's history - burned 137,760 acres last summer.

The bill also would establish guidelines for forest-

restoration and fuel-reduction projects, it would prohibit thinning in wilderness areas and other special federal lands, and it includes provisions to protect old-growth forests and large trees.

"We can't stop forest fires; they're a natural part of forest ecosystems," Udall said. "But we can - and should - take steps to reduce their intensity and impact. Our forests are part of our treasured natural heritage. They draw people to Colorado and the West. But they are also a danger, and we must take steps to reduce that danger, while also correcting decades of fire-suppression polices that created these high-risk fire conditions."

His bill would affect areas in the so-called "red zone," where mankind mingles with the forest.

Udall said he's had to squelch talk that his plan "is logging in the form of a Trojan horse" and that expediting the plan would circumvent federal environmental guidelines.

"We do need to move as quickly as possible, particularly in high-priority areas," he said.

State legislators are considering a similar forest-thinning bill designed to free up water supplies.

Udall said he's not sold on that bill.

"In the short term, it might provide additional runoff," he said. "But over time, it would be counter-productive. It would result in a decrease in runoff. And you'd have to go back in and do it every 10, 15, 20 years. There are other sustainable proposals."

However, Udall has signed on to U.S. Sen. Scott McInnis's proposal to allocate $1 million to Mesa State College in Grand Junction to eradicate tamarisk, a noxious weed that consumes up to 300 gallons of water each day.

"That makes sense," he said. "It might be like pushing a rock up a hill (to combat the invasive shrub), but we have no choice."

Other bills Udall has submitted to put into law will, if approved, designate additional land in Summit and Eagle counties as wilderness areas and protect roadless areas. He also is soliciting comment about designating Dry Creek as a wild and scenic river.

Jane Stebbins can be reached at (970) 668-3998 ext. 228 or

jstebbins@summitdaily.com.

[madfly]

fyi

[HiJinx]

BTTT and thanks for the ping.

It's good to see that other states' congress-critters are picking up on the need for sound forest management.

Off-topic...I see the Udall's turned out at least one good politician!

[Eric in the Ozarks]

They don't have much of a track record. Maybe Mark was adopted.

[Free the USA]

http://www.freerepublic.com/perl/bump-list

[HiJinx]

The older Arizona families have always been close to the land, either in farming, ranching, mining, or forestry industries. It's really not surprising that Mark would support sound forest management. Personally, I don't know what his politics are, but I'm glad to see him come down on the side of common sense on this issue!

[Eric in the Ozarks]

Mo Udall and Stewart Udall may have been close to the land but they didn't believe in private property.

[Great_Dame]

Thanks for posting this. Is this what Bush was refering to in the State of the Union address? It sure sounds like it! My husband and I work in the forest products industry and we both let out a whopping cheer for that applause line during the speech. I'm glad to see the ball has started rolling already.

Most people don't understand that there are more trees in the US today than there were when our ancestors bumped into the shore. Vast parts of the mid-west and west were planted with trees by settlers because they needed something to break the wind and protect their farm lands.

Fuel reduction in the forests (new code word for logging)has many benefits, let's try to list them:

Trees provide jobs, loggers, sawyers, truckers, manufactures...

The material (wood and wood pulp) is used to make houses, furniture, paper, toilet paper...

Logging roads provide clear areas for hikers, mountain bikers, cross-country skiers, and let's not forget access to the forest in case something does catch on fire!

[EBUCK]

Last night the Channel 12 news in AZ covered "our" Heber Activists! I got nothing to post on it because the Ch12 site has nothing there...got some mail but it's from a Green Party member in Pheonix...


Anyone in AZ tape it?

Green party guy replies follow.

"Hi Eric,

I don't know if you ever watch the show Frontline on pbs but it's one of my favorite shows. I personally think it is one of the most honest documentaries that is on tv today. Well, I emailed them about your situation and here's what I wrote:

---

I have a topic suggestion for a show. Recently I began to email with a gentleman from www.azfire.org about a billboard in in Heber, Arizona that blames environmentalists for huge forest fires last year in that area. Now, importantly, I am an environmentally oriented person but the information I have been exposed to has made me question the actions of some recent law suits in the area. Common sense seems to be lacking in a scenario between the Navajo Nation, the Federal Government and several Environmental groups currently filing various lawsuits for various reasons. It is a complicated scenario where what is best for the environment, people and industry are in a heated battle. I think this topic would be excellent for an intriguing show.

If you wish for any further information, please contact me. I will gladly share any information that I have.

Thank you,
Xxxxx Xxxxx
Green Party Member
Phoenix, AZ

---

Anyway, yes, I'm with the Green Party in Arizona but just as a voter. I am also environmentally oriented but not to the point of being stupid about it. Who know's what an email can or can't do but I've seen some amazing stuff happen from a simple email. I would recommend that you email Frontline as well with your story. You can reach their webpage at www.pbs.org and go to the Frontline page. At the bottom in very small print is "contact us". Click on that and you can write them a message.

Never thought I'd be trying to support your cause when I first saw that billboard but I think I recognize bureaucratic bull(x)hit when I see it. Hope you don't mind me emailing the Frontline people. Who knows, maybe all of the stinky laundry will be exposed to the light of day. I've got faith in people, it's the bureaucracies we must fear.


Xxxxx"

And before that....

"Holy Cow! I caught the Heber Overgard citizen rally on the channel 12 news tonight. It was exactly as you had described to me. I'm glad to see you guys get some press time. There was even mention of some counter suits to be filed in San Francisco. I think that's probably the 7th Circuit Court- Federal Court, that's located there. At this point, perhaps publicity is your guy's best ally.

Thanks for taking the time so share your information with me. I'm definately going to check out that book you recommemded.

Good luck,

Xxxxx"

And the reply to my comments that actually convinced this fellow that his peers are off their rockers!

"Now, that is some total bull(x)hit! Thanks for the "taster" I'm beginning to see how it's working up there. What should really happen is the the environmental group should be sued for damages after their claim is exposed as crap in court. Or perhaps there should be a group that sues those people for damages now. Now that would accomplish something!

Sorry if my first email was a bit testy but I'm sensitive about opinions against environmental issues. It's so easy to blame and hate just because it's easy. I'm a very scientifically oriented person and I will listen to every arguement. I've found that some environmentalist activity can be critical but it can easily be used for reasons that have bad intention. Like the lawsuit you just pointed out to me.

I do believe that it is more then the environmentalists that cause the conditions for those fires. The government for example.

Thanks for the input, it is appreciated.

Xxxxx"


With a lot of help from Carry_Okie and Madfly (thanks guys) I think I amy be getting thru to a few of these folks. Special thanks to Mark for reminding me how important it is to gain and keep the Moral High ground....

Eric
(P.S. edited for true names and profanity)

[presidio9]

The Green Arizona Party is prominently featured as one of the funders of the Anti-America rally in New York City last weekend. The Wall Street Journal lists them alphabetically in front of the Black Radical Congress and other such mainstream political groups as "House of Goddess Center For Pagen Wombyn." Gosh these people are representative of the population as a whole.

[EBUCK]

I know it...that's waht makes this exchange so amazing to me. I guess he could be lying to me but he seems to be genuinely taken aback at the actions of those he funds.

[E.G.C.]

BTTT!!!!!

[Alamo-Girl]

Bump!

[FBD]

Thanks for the ping. BUMP TO THE TOP!

EARTH FIRST! ( WE"LL LOG THE OTHER PLANETS LATER.)

[sauropod]

He's right, but ranting at the eco-fascists is very cathartic.

[EBUCK]

Yup, food for the soul and all that. But I'm on a mission now, requires sacrifice.

[hellinahandcart]

I wonder if your penpal has bothered to read the platform of the party he supports. Yeesh.

[EBUCK]

I don't know but it seems that he tried to distance himself from the Greenies there for a second...

??"only as a voter"??

Not sure what that means.

[blackie]

I don't trust anyone who belongs to the green party ... all you have to do is read the party platform ... Karl Marx could have written it.

Be Well - Be Armed - Be Safe - Molon Labe!

[EBUCK]

Perhaps you are right! And now our actions have been reported to Karl's legacy organization "OPB" (translated into german...= SS)

You know, I'm a lot closer to you now, Monroe....