Thank you, Senator Risch.
I would like to do that.
I think making stewardship contracts permanent is very positive.
I was going to follow up, but I don't want to cut you off.
I think Senator Risch and I will continue to probe your summaries and your conclusions.
I want to focus on S. 2798, the National Forest Insect and Disease Emergency Act of 2009, which I introduced with Senator Risch.
This bipartisan bill will provide additional tools and resources to the Forest Service and, to a lesser degree, to the Bureau of Land Manage...
There are certainly those who would suggest there is a difference between timber harvesting and fuel reduction.
So making good neighbor authorities permanent is crucial as well.
We would like to thank Senator Udall and Senator Risch for their work on this important legislation.
Those are excellent.
I understand wanting to hew closely to what you think the intent of the law was.
The purpose of today's hearing is to receive testimony on several bills pending before the subcommittee.
This epidemic is creating serious concerns in our communities regarding our forested regions, the recreational economies of these areas, and...
We urge the Senate Energy & Natural Resources Committee to advance this legislation as soon as possible.
Wouldn't the fuels treatment perhaps reduce that severity effect?
If we do nothing about this epidemic... we could be right back here with another epidemic of this size and scope.
I want to thank again Senator Risch. He and I have an excellent working relationship.
