Date: 02/22/2006
Final
Colorado Forest Health Report
COMMITTEE ON JOINT AGRICULTURE AND NATURAL RESOURCES
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07:45 AM
Senator Isgar called the meeting to order and introduced guests in the audience.
07:45 AM
Jeff Jahnke, Colorado State Forester, distributed the 2005 Colorado Forest Health Report. He introduced the members of the Forest Advisory Board. The committee viewed a video addressing the mountain pine beetle epidemic. He commented on their primary objectives in addressing the mountain pine beetle. He said that the beetle raises the risks of fire to communities and to the ski industry. There is potential for damage to watersheds from these fires. He noted that many local groups have formed to confront the pine beetle. His said that his agency also has an educational role. He said that the long-term answer to the beetle infestation is to have a strategy in place for treatment of the forest. He said that there must be a healthy forest products industry to facilitate this treatment. He commented on the upcoming fire season and said that an air attack plan is in place and some preparedness work has been completed. His agency is expecting an above average fire season in some parts of the state.
08:10 AM -- Rick Cables, U.S. Forest Service, said that there are about 14 million acres of national forest in Colorado. His organization has identified the areas of the state which are most at risk. He said that about one million acres has made it through the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process for "vegetation management" programs. He commented on the creation of the Front Range Roundtable on Fuels Treatment and on the Northern Colorado Mountain Pine Beetle Cooperative.
08:21 AM -- Nancy Fishering, Chair, Forest Health Advisory Committee, Timber Industry Association, said that bark beetles are a statewide issue. She commented on preventative measures that might be taken. She said that her industry needs a supply of wood close to their mills for the mills to remain viable. She said that many mills have been closed in recent years. She noted that, last year, 45 million board feet of timber was sold in Colorado. She suggested that the legislature may consider introducing a resolution to support federal funding to help prepare forests for the timber companies. She said companies with power lines and reservoirs are also concerned about risk to their facilities. Rick Cables said that, since the NEPA process has been addressed, that project appeals will not slow the Forest Service down in harvesting timber. He said that the opportunity for the public to slow projects down is now past.
08:43 AM
Rick Cables commented on the Mount Zirkle Wilderness "blow down."
08:49 AM -- Representative Solano inquired about the budget requirements of the forest management agencies. She also asked about potential means to control the beetle. Jeff Jahnke said that there has been limited success in research to control the reproduction of the beetles.