Christine Scanlan

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 3, 2009

For more information:
Katie Reinisch, 303-866-2774
Rep. Scanlan, 970-470-0397

COLORADO
MAJORITY COMMUNICATIONS
STATE CAPITOL

REP. SCANLAN & SEN. GIBBS ANNOUNCE BARK BEETLE CONGRESSIONAL HEARING AT LANDMARK BILL SIGNING

ARAPAHOE BASIN - Today, State Representative Christine Scanlan (D-Summit County) and State Senator Dan Gibbs (D-Summit County) watched their landmark legislation known as the Healthy Forests / Vibrant Communities Act signed into law.

House Bill 1199 is a sweeping piece of legislation that makes $3 million available for a series of initiatives to combat the epidemic. Moneys from the legislation will assist mountain and Front Range communities plan for forest health management activities; expand protection for Colorado’s watersheds, local communities and vital infrastructure; and provide grants for market-based solutions to reduce the overall threat posed by wildfire.

The pair of lawmakers also announced that amid calls from state and local officials for heightened federal attention to the growing epidemic, a Congressional hearing addressing the bark beetle infestation had been scheduled for later in the month.

“At this point, we have a pretty good idea of what it will take to mitigate the threat effectively,” said Rep. Scanlan. “We’ve done a good job mapping the problem, and we’ll keep working locally to address the epidemic with our limited resources, through unique collaborations between state and local government, emergency personnel, and private industry. But we need Congress to act. And that’s what we’re asking them to do.”

Both lawmakers are expected to travel to Washington to testify in front of Congress about Colorado’s experience, and to make a request for expanded federal support. The hearing, titled "The Mountain Pine Beetle: Strategies for Protecting the West,” will be held June 16 by the National Parks, Forests, and Public Lands subcommittee, in conjunction with the Power and Water subcommittee. In addition to the state legislators, members of Congress, people from Colorado’s local business community, and various administration officials will testify.
“I am proud of the significant work we did this session to protect Colorado from the devastating effects of forest fire” said Sen. Gibbs. “This bill in particular reflects the work accomplished with legislators from both side of the aisle to make sure we are prepared when the next wildfire hits. Now is the time to continue fighting for federal support for Colorado’s wildfire projects.”

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