Tipton introduces measure to address wildfire danger

As the state reels in the aftermath of multiple fires, Colorado’s congressmen are scrambling to pass legislation to reduce the chances of future burns. Rep. Scott Tipton, R-Cortez, has introduced the Healthy Forest Management Act of 2012, which would give state governments more control over thinning forests in high-risk areas, removing dead trees and those affected by bark beetles. “Wildfire has taken a devastating toll on communities, the environment, wildlife habitats and water supplies in Colorado and across the Western United States,” Tipton said in a news release. “This legislation treats the bark beetle epidemic, drought and other conditions that have made our forests highly susceptible to wildfire.” High-risk areas are any public or national forest lands currently or likely to be affected by bark beetles, drought or otherwise deteriorating forest health conditions, according to the bill. These areas can be designated by either state or federal governments. Tipton staff members emphasized the importance of giving states the power to designate high-risk areas and develop plans for mitigating the danger.Though the bill has measures to protect water resources, wildlife and their habitats, the government could subcontract projects to for-profit loggers. The bill specifies that projects to remove wildfire fuel may not involve clear-cutting. The Healthy Forest Management Act, co-sponsored by Reps. Mike Coffman, Cory Gardner and DougLamborn, joins multiple other forestry provisions in the Farm Bill, which passed the Senate in June and now is in the House...more