We can learn from these successes, much of which are credited to strong community support, private landowners, city officials, and residents all coming together to carry out the necessary work.

Now is a particularly relevant time for us to discuss this problem because in this season many beetles will be looking to infect new areas and new trees.

We need a timber industry that is nimble enough to ramp up a way to process this large volume of woods.

Industry is part of the solution in Colorado, and we don't have enough of the right industry in the right place.

I would suggest that particularly in some of these states in the western states regarding the infestation and fire prevention and suppression strategies vital, that it would behoove some of the members of that body to get behind this.

I think it is important for all of us to reflect on the enormity of the issue that we are dealing with here today.

Has Fish and Wildlife considered such a system to help coordinate the responses from both local, state, and Federal agencies?

WNS is no longer just a regional issue.

The Fish and Wildlife Service should play a leadership role in coordinating a national response to WNS.

Our ability to determine the level of response will be key in minimizing any negative effects of these threats.

The only point that I want to add is that White-Nose Syndrome is the issue that we are dealing with right now--the cause, how to contain, how to mitigate what is going on.