News Release, Walden's office 3/10/05.

Healthy Forests received increase in funding

Congressman Walden wanted me to let you know that yesterday the House Resources Subcommittee on Forests and Forest Health, which Greg chairs, held an oversight hearing on the Administration's proposed Fiscal Year 2006 budget for the U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management.  Testimony on budget issues was provided by BLM Director Kathleen Clarke and Agriculture Department Undersecretary for Natural Resources and Environment Mark Rey.

The current budget request for the Bureau of Land Management in Fiscal Year 2006 is $1.74 billion, an increase of $27 million (1.6%) over the Fiscal Year 2005 budget.  The request for the Forest Service in Fiscal Year 2006 is $4.06 billion, a decrease of $173.6 million (4%) from the Fiscal Year 2005 budget.  Greg was pleased that on-the-ground projects for the Healthy Forests Restoration Act, which he co-authored, received an increase in funding under both proposed budgets but he detailed his concern that the BLM range improvement funds had been moved from mandatory to discretionary spending, and that funds to assist state and private forestry had been reduced.  Greg wants everyone to know that there are still many steps to go through before final budgets are passed and he will work with other members of Congress and the President to ensure that our land management agencies have the resources they need to do the job out on the ground.

Please don't hesitate to get in touch with me if you have question or if you would like additional information.  Thank you and have a great day.  

P.S. I encourage you to take a moment to visit Greg's website at http://walden.house.gov where you can send him an email, read about current legislative issues, fill out an online survey and also sign up for his weekly e-newsletter, the Oregon Congressional Connection.

Colby Marshall