Prepared Remarks of Senator Domenici on Federal Land Fire Fighting Cost Containment Hearing
January 30, 2007
12:02 PM
Washington, D.C. – The Senate Energy & Natural Resources Committee today held an hearing on federal land fire fighting cost containment.
Below is the prepared text of Senator Domenici’s statement:
I want to thank Senator Bingaman for scheduling this hearing. Like Senator Bingaman, I believe this situation must be addressed. Nearly half of the Forest Service’s discretionary budget is now expended on fire fighting and fire preparedness. This can’t be sustained. There are a number of issues related to fire fighting that are out of the control of federal agencies:
- the weather,
- the explosive growth of homes within the wildland urban interface, and
- the failure of many local and State governments to address the challenges of increased development in these areas.
There are some issues that can and should be addressed by the federal government. I stand ready to work with all involved to find ways reduce these costs.
At the same time we have to be careful about unintended consequences.
I am speaking about a law we passed in the 107th Congress requiring the Office of Inspector General of Agriculture to investigate wildfire deaths. Which sometime result in subsequent criminal charges.
This atmosphere could result in the premature retirement of lots of fire fighters.
If this happens our margins of safety will be reduced and quite likely it will increase the danger to the remaining fire fighters.
As a result the costs of the fire fighting could go up as well.
I look forward to working with Senator Bingaman and others to find ways to reduce the cost of federal wild land fire fighting.
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