Christine Scanlan

 REP. SCANLAN & SEN. GIBBS TESTIFY IN FRONT OF CONGRESS
Lawmakers: “Federal government must act now to combat bark beetle devastation”

WASHINGTON DC - State Representative Christine Scanlan and State Senator Dan Gibbs, both Summit County legislators, called upon Congress to act immediately to combat Colorado’s mountain pine beetle epidemic. The two lawmakers were part of a historic hearing dedicated to raising awareness about the issue and developing solutions to combat the growing infestation. The hearing included the testimony of local, state and regional officials from across the west, as well as private business owners and representatives from various federal agencies.

“Let us make no mistake: this is not just a local issue. The bark beetle epidemic poses an immediate threat to the United States’ overall security.” said Rep. Scanlan. “Tens of millions of people across the west depend on the water that flows downstream from Colorado, and the electricity that travels over impacted lands.”

Sen.Gibbs, who joined Rep. Scanlan at the hearing, echoed the testimony: “Colorado lawmakers are committed to fighting the fire threat and restoring our forests. However, the need has simply outpaced our financial resources on the state level. It is now incumbent upon the federal government to act.”

In her remarks before the House Subcommittee on National Parks, Forest and Public Lands, Rep. Scanlan called on Congress to:
Increase funding for local, state and federal officials to apply toward fire prevention and suppression
Send President Obama a strong version of the FLAME Act, which would decouple fire prevention and suppression funding, and would continue the “good neighbor” policy that has been so effective
Follow Colorado’s lead to introduce legislation that removes barriers to cross-jurisdictional cooperation, and that encourages public-private collaboration.
Over the next two days, the pair also plan to meet with key members of Congress and their staffs to encourage expanding federal action and developing a viable market for “blue wood” beetle-killed products.

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