News Release
Bush Plan Supports Western Governor’s 10-Year Fire Plan
9/6/2002
Todd O'Hair
406-444-3111
tohair@state.mt.us
“Some extreme groups have claimed that the President’s initiative goes against the WGA’s 10-year plan,” said Governor Martz. “The President is following the 10-year plan. One of the key provisions of the 10-year plan, which was developed and signed onto by numerous environmental groups, says that the federal government should assess state and federal regulatory governing projects and activities done in conformance with the 10 year plan and identify measures to improve timely decision-making. President Bush’s plan addresses this issue directly.”
One of the key proposals of the 10 year plan is identifying ways to improve the timeliness of the decision making process. Numerous times throughout the 10-year plan, it references the need to address timely decision-making.
“Until the timely decision-making aspect is addressed, none of the other WGA fire plan points will be addressed,” said Governor Martz. “The President has now asked Congress to address the timely decision-making aspect. And since Senator Daschle has supported a similar move for his home state of South Dakota, I am confident it will be broadly supported for other states.”
Martz was referring to language that Senator Daschle (D-SD) added to a supplemental defense bill, exempting certain forestlands in South Dakota from appeals and litigation.
Governor Martz noted that in the United States Forest Service’s Northern Region, which includes Montana, of 35 mechanical treatment projects to deal with fuel reduction, all 35 were appealed in the 2001 Fiscal Year.
““We in the West are pleased to see President Bush place such a high priority on healthy forest initiatives,” said Governor Martz. “We also appreciate his comments about recently approved forest management policies in South Dakota – basically saying that what’s good for South Dakota is good for the rest of the West.”
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