Date: 09/05/2012
Final
Summary of Funding for Wildfires and Forest Health
WILDFIRE COMMISSION
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09:56 AM -- Summary of Funding for Wildfires and Forest Health
Mr. Henry Sobanet, Director of the Office of State Planning and Budgeting, and Mr. Bruce Eisenhauer, Executive Director, Department of Local Affairs, provided a summary of federal and state funding for wildlife response and forest health in Colorado. Mr. Sobanet provided a perspective on how wildfire funding is coordinated, including an overview of the Wildfire Emergency Response Fund, which is a holding account with an annual appropriation for the purpose of funding the first two days of wildfire fighting. Mr. Sobanet discussed the State Disaster Emergency Fund , which is separate from the Tabor Emergency Fund, and discussed how the fund is used. Mr. Sobanet then discussed funding available for forest health initiatives. Mr. Eisenhauer provided an overview of the Wildfire Preparedness Fund, and the uses of the money in the fund.
10:07 AM
Mr. Eisenhauer continued to brief the commission on the Wildfire Preparedness Fund, explaining how revenue accrues to the fund. Commission members received a flow chart on the distribution of federal mineral lease collections in Colorado (Attachment A). Mr. Eisenhauer responded to questions regarding the use of Wildfire Preparedness Fund moneys in energy-impacted communities, and the legislation that authorized federal mineral lease moneys to be used for wildfire mitigation. Mr. Eisenhauer responded to a question regarding the availability of Wildfire Preparedness Fund moneys for use by the Department of Public Safety. Mr. Sobanet responded to questions regarding the perspective of the Governor's Office on funding for wildfires and wildfire preparedness, and the potential for legislation to be introduced in the area of wildfire funding. Discussion ensued regarding potential funding for both proactive and reactive forest fire mitigation funding, including the state's role in these areas.
10:19 AM
Discussed continued regarding potential funding for wildfire mitigation in the coming years. Discussion followed regarding the potential for seeking a greater share of federal mineral lease moneys to assist in funding forest health and wildfire initiatives. Mr. Eisenhauer responded to questions regarding the moneys from federal mineral lease collections that are committed to local government initiatives, as shown in Attachment A.
10:29 AM
Mr. Eisenhauer continued to discuss local government initiatives funded with federal mineral lease moneys. Mr. Sobanet responded to questions regarding how Colorado ranks among the states in terms of emergency funding reserves, and the status of such reserves. Mr. Sobanet provided an overview of the use of the Capital Construction Fund and other funds as a mechanism to satisfy statutory requirements for funding reserves. Discussion ensued regarding funding for forest health initiatives in Colorado, and the various pieces of legislation adopted by the General Assembly to create and further such initiatives.
10:43 AM
Discussion continued regarding forest health initiatives in Colorado. Mr. Sobanet responded to questions regarding requests for Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) moneys by Colorado during and after wildfire emergencies, and efforts by Colorado to secure federal "Stevens Funding," which is used for forest health initiatives. Mr. Kevin Klein, Director of the Colorado Division of Homeland Security Emergency Management Team, briefed the committee on efforts to secure FEMA moneys and other federal funding for recent wildfires.
10:55 AM
The committee recessed.