Feds pony up the bucks for beetles

SUMMIT COUNTY — The fight to reduce fire hazards associated with beetle-killed lodgepole pines may have gained a little traction this week, as U.S. Department of Agriculture officials announced a $1 million funding boost for the Rocky Mountain region of the U.S. Forest Service, covering Wyoming, Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska and South Dakota.

Republican Sen. Wayne Allard announced the funding Sept. 5, shortly after top administration officials flew over some of the hardest hit areas in Eagle, Summit and Grand counties to view the insect infestation first-hand.

“I am pleased that the administration has responded to my repeated requests for additional funding,” said Allard, who wrote President Bush in June to ask for more money. “Today’s announcement is welcome news to numerous Colorado communities that are facing a Katrina-like disaster from the scourge of bark beetles.”

Any additional dollars are welcome, said Sandy Briggs, who heads up a Summit County pine beetle task force.

“You have to do triage,” he said, explaining that the key focus should continue to be the wildland-urban interface, where homes, critical infrastructure and important recreational facilities are at risk.

“I'm thinking we should leverage these dollars,” Briggs said. “Money is going to be hard to come by,” he added, suggesting that private groups and businesses like local ski resorts should seek to match the federal funding.

Also on the political front, key administration officials announced yet another legislative push aimed at combating the damage from mountain pine beetles — a proposed healthy forests partnership bill that would enable more collaboration among federal, state, local and tribal governments.

The new measure comes in addition to several other pieces of legislation already in play, including an effort by the nine-member Colorado congressional delegation to craft a unified bill.