Senate Engrossed

State of Arizona Senate Fiftieth Legislature Second Regular Session 2012

SENATE CONCURRENT MEMORIAL 1003

 

A CONCURRENT MEMORIAL

 

urging the united states congress to adequately fund the united states forest service.

 

 

(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)

 

To the Congress of the United States of America:

Your memorialist respectfully represents:

Whereas, the United States Congress established the United States Forest Service in 1905 to provide quality water and timber for the nation's benefit; and

Whereas, over the years, the United States Congress has directed the United States Forest Service to manage more national forests and grasslands; and

Whereas, the President's fiscal year 2012 budget increased funding for land acquisition by $26,360,000; and

Whereas, the President's fiscal year 2012 budget reduced funding for the Wildland Fire Management by $396,675,000; and

Whereas, the President's fiscal year 2012 budget reduced budgeting for the FLAME Wildfire Suppression Reserve Fund by $97,114,000; and

Whereas, in 2011, the total number of acres consumed by wildland fires on Arizona lands that are managed by the United States Forest Service was 878,540 out of the total of 981,189 acres that were burned in Arizona that year; and

Whereas, the United States Forest Service has existed for more than 100 years with the express purpose of managing public forests and grasslands; and

Whereas, the mission of the United States Forest Service is to sustain the health, diversity and productivity of the nation's forests and grassland.

Wherefore your memorialist, the Senate of the State of Arizona, the House of Representatives concurring, prays:

1.  That the United States Congress adequately fund the United States Forest Service in order to properly manage forests and grasslands.

2.  That the United States Congress prohibit the United States Forest Service from acquiring and managing additional lands until the Forest Service demonstrates its ability to properly manage and protect forests.

3.  That the Secretary of State of the State of Arizona transmit copies of this Memorial to the President of the United States, the Chief of the United States Forest Service, the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives and each Member of Congress from the State of Arizona.