Jeff Bingaman United States Senator from New Mexico

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman today said he is heartened by a report released today indicating that appeals over forest thinning work in national forests has fallen dramatically in recent years.  The report also indicated that the Forest Service in New Mexico and Arizona treated more acres during the 2006-2008 timeframe (more than 3 million acres) than any other region of the National Forest System.

According to a U.S. Government Accountability Office report, between the years 2006-2008, none of the Forest Service projects in New Mexico involving hazardous fuels reduction were taken to court, and 87 percent proceeded without any objection, administrative appeal, or litigation.

Nationwide, 98 percent of Forest Service decisions approving hazardous fuels reduction projects – covering more than 10 million acres -- were implemented without litigation.  Just 2 percent – involving 124,000 acres – were taken to court.  Administrative appeal rates dropped by 69 percent compared to 2002-2003.

"The Forest Service and public in New Mexico generally have embraced a collaborative approach to responsible forest thinning and wildfire-risk reduction projects.  The willingness of the public and the Forest Service to work together is paying off," Bingaman said.  "I hope this trend continues."

Bingaman, who chairs the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee which has jurisdiction over the Forest Service, asked GAO to review recent progress in our national forests.  He is the author of the Collaborative Forest Restoration Program in New Mexico and the national Forest Landscape Restoration Act, which authorizes $40 million annually for landscape-scale forest restoration projects that cover 50,000 acres or more.  Competitive grants are to be awarded to restoration projects that are developed in collaboration with local communities.

"During the past few years, we've had very serious wildfire seasons in the West.  Clearly, there is more forest restoration work to be done.  As we move toward these larger restoration initiatives, it's my hope we can continue to make progress through collaboration."

The complete GAO report can be found here, while the highlights can be found here.