Chellie Pingree: “While I certainly appreciate the challenges that so many Western States are facing right now with the drought and very…”

“While I certainly appreciate the challenges that so many Western States are facing right now with the drought and very frightening wildfires, I need to oppose this. Unlike most programs in H.R. 2822, especially within the Forest Service, the base hazardous fuels program received a $10 million increase above the FY 2015 enacted level. There is a reduction in H.R. 2822 to the biomass grant portion of the hazardous fuels program, but I see nothing in this amendment that addresses that cut. We would all like to see increases in funding for many programs funded by the bill. Chairman Calvert has certainly been a strong advocate for a robust wildland fire program, including hazardous fuels. Coming from the fire-prone State of California, as he just mentioned, he knows as well as anyone that our fire programs needs support, and he has funded that accordingly. To provide what would be a record level of funding for hazardous fuels, the sponsor of this amendment would cut an additional $20 million from the EPA, which is why I feel it is important to oppose this amendment. This bill already severely cuts the EPA's main operating account by $141.4 million, or 5 percent. I strongly oppose an amendment that takes more money from the already starved EPA. The very air we breathe and the water we drink are endangered by the funding and policy decisions made in this bill, and their consequences will be negatively felt in communities across this Nation.…”