A note from Rep. Heinert
The new year is upon us and it is my hope that all you folks have a happy, healthy and prosperous new year.
This being a presidential election year it is sometimes easy to forget that there a many state legislative interim committees meeting on a regular basis to generate and review proposed legislation to help in moving our state of Montana forward in many different areas.
During the September Special Session, the Montana Legislature formed a special interim committee called the Fire Suppression Committee (FSC).
The legislation that created FSC requires that the committee investigate: firefighting operations in Montana including operations on tribal lands and private lands that are performed by the state and federal agencies and the management policies affecting the success of those operations; the efficient use of fire suppression resources including equipment and manpower; the impacts of operations on private land and on the effective use of private resources to fight fires; and state and federal forest management policies and how those policies may contribute to an increased number of wildfires, greater safety risk to firefighters, or if those policies compromise the effectiveness of fire suppression efforts.
The committee is required to conduct meetings in Miles City, Libby, Thompson Falls, Lewistown and Hamilton. Members are also planning on conducting smaller hearings in Choteau, Seeley Lake, and possibly other locations as determined by the committee.
The committee must complete its study by Sept. 15, 2008 and report its recommendations and findings to the 2009 Legislature.
Members of FSC are requesting the assistance from not only those persons and organizations that are directly affected but also from anyone with a desire to provide input this very important topic that affects us all in some manner.
Here is how to help:
The committee would like specific recommendations on any of the study items listed above as well any other recommendations you may have for fighting fires, suppression of fires or other wildland fire-related issues in Montana.
What do you think will happen in this state with regard to firefighting and suppression in the next ten years if no changes in policy, practice, or funding are made?
The committee would like to know what can be done by you or others (agencies, local governments, homeowners, private industry) by next spring and early summer to prepare for the fire season.
If you provide fire suppression-related contract services during the fire season, please provide us with specific suggestions that may improve the contracting process.
On March 4, 2008, two members of FSC will hold a hearing dedicated to concerns of the contracting community. You may check FSC's website for more details as that date approaches.
The committee asks that all written comments be submitted by Feb. 1, 2008.
The committee will review suggestions and other options developed by staff and will create a list of proposals to consider (whether they conflict with each other or not) before hearings are held across Montana.
Not every recommendation made will necessarily be included on the list, but there will be a wide variety of recommendations for the public to review before the committee makes any final decisions or requests that any bills be drafted.
Provide comments in any of the following three ways:
Email them to Leanne Heisel at lheisel@mt.gov .
Write to Fire Suppression Committee, c/o Leanne Heisel; Legislative Services Division; P.O. Box 201706; Helena, Montana 59620-1706.
Submit comments on the committee's Web site at: http://leg.mt.gov/css/committees/interim/2007_2008/fire_suppression/default.asp .
Participation in this process will be most appreciated by the committee on this very important topic.
Ralph Heinert representing Montana House District #1 may be contacted by telephoning 406/293-9843; or by writing to his attention, P.O. Box 577; Libby, MT 59923; or by e-mail to: rheinert@lclink.com .