Udall Asks for Assessment of Impact of Bark Beetle Epidemic on Forest Safety, Health
Detailed Review by Forest Service Would Help Target Resources, Prevent Wildfire and Other Impacts to Water Supply, Tourism
Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Mark Udall called on the U.S. Forest Service to review steps it has taken to fight the bark beetle epidemic, which has left millions of acres of dead and dying lodgepole pines across the forests of Colorado, Wyoming and the Mountain West. The assessment would highlight the progress, lessons learned and the obstacles encountered in addressing and responding to the natural disaster.
Senator Udall has pressed the Forest Service to treat the bark beetle infestation as an emergency. Last year, he and Senator Michael Bennet successfully requested the Forest Service direct $40 million in existing funds to help clear dead trees, which could add fuel to forest fires, and protect recreation areas and power lines. This year, the Senators led a bipartisan request for an additional $49 million in existing funds.
Ultimately, addressing the impacts of the bark beetle epidemic could cost as much as $1 billion over 20 years. Senator Udall believes a review would help ensure the funds are targeted and used efficiently.
"I believe an epidemic of this scale and scope can provide a useful learning experience to help address not only this incident in our region, but also help identify ways that we can better respond to future epidemics and in areas where the current one may eventually spread," Senator Udall wrote. "And, it can help us in our continuing efforts to help the Forest Service better respond to this issue and promote healthy and safe forests for the enjoyment and benefit of the nation."
Some specific areas the Senator is asking the Forest Service to examine include:
• the actions taken to address this epidemic and the obstacles that the Forest Service has encountered;
• whether the Forest Service needs "emergency" authority or better resources and facilities to help respond to the threats posed by beetle-killed trees;
• whether changes should be made to contracting procedures, given the low commercial value of the timber; and
• the estimated cost of addressing the threats and impacts from this epidemic.
Senator Udall has been a leader for more than a decade pushing Washington, D.C., to recognize the economic, health and environmental threat the bark beetle epidemic poses to Colorado.