Credit: USDA
May 22, 2017 - SACRAMENTO – Governor Jerry Brown’s $180 billion May revision to the 2017-2018 Budget proposes cutting millions of dollars desperately needed to fight fires and fund local tree mortality projects in California’s forestlands.
The Governor’s updated budget released on Thursday cuts funds for local tree mortality efforts from $52.7 million to just $2 million. This is less than four percent of the funds allotted in January of this year. CalFire would also see a huge cut if the Governor’s budget is approved. Funding for the extended fire season, increased firefighter surge capacity, Conservation Corps fire suppression crews, and aerial assets is set to be slashed by nearly half - from $91 million to $41.7 million.
“The drought may be officially over, but the Tree Mortality crisis is not,” said Budget Committee Member Assemblyman Jim Patterson. “Trees are still dying and the need to fund local efforts is greater than ever. Now is not the time to slash and burn these vital programs.”
Richard Bagley, President of the 168 Fire Safe Council believes the drastic cuts threaten to undermine the ongoing work within mountain communities statewide. “Ignoring the current conditions will make the situation worse and more costly, hopefully not resulting in loss of public lives, or the lives of the firefighters dedicated to trying to protect them,” said Bagley.
Governor Brown recently declared May 7-13 “Wildfire Awareness Week” in California. His proclamation acknowledged the continuing threat of fires and noted the 423,000 dead trees removed thanks to the work of local Tree Mortality Taskforce groups around the state.
“The Governor is patting himself on the back for creating the Tree Mortality Taskforce while crippling their funding source,” said Assemblyman Patterson. “Programs that put money in the hands of residents to clear wildfire fuel from their property should be fully funded. The health and safety of our forests, families and fire fighters depends on it.”
Assemblyman Patterson (R-Fresno) represents the 23rd Assembly District in the California Legislature, which includes communities in Fresno and Tulare County.
Source: Assemblyman Patterson
