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Tribes Partner to Reduce Fuels and Increase Biomass Utilization
The Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes (CSKT) actively manage their lands for sustainability, and are concerned about the loss of local lumber mills and biomass utilization sites in western Montana. They recently entered into a collaborative project with NARA and a consortium of universities and colleges. The project will establish local biomass utilization capabilities to support tribal natural resource activities and forest restoration goals on tribal, federal and private forestlands. This is a great example of Action 1.1.c: “Implement projects using the best available and most feasible tools”. Read the article >
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Fire Response News
The WRSC reports progress on Action 3.3b: “continue to implement a national Wildland fire qualifications system”. NWCG is implementing a training initiative to leverage EMI FEMA training for certain ICS courses having common objectives with existing NWCG courses. The transition of 12 courses will begin this Fall with implementation slated for Fall 2014.
Action on 3.4.b: “increase local response capacity including supporting the development of Type 3 IMTs”. The U.S. Fire Administration is mobilizing Type 3 IMTs to respond to wildfires in the West through its Type 3 IMT Development Program. The intent is to facilitate Type 3 IMT’s shadow assignments with Type 1 and Type 2 Wildland IMT’s in order to gain further experience and enhance response capabilities.
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Defensible Space Regulations Make a Difference
A study by the University of Colorado–Denver finds three levels of defensible space regulations in the West. Strong regulations in California and Oregon; moderate in Utah and Nevada; and soft regulations in Colorado, Arizona, and New Mexico, where there are no statewide standards. Most wildfire related deaths are in the states with soft regulations. In this article, Governor Hickenlooper of Colorado discusses regulations. Action 2.2.5 of the Action Plan says: “Develop and disseminate best practices and sample wildfire zoning ordinances” Read the article >
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Governors Support the Federal Land Transaction Facilitation Act (FLTMA)
The Western Governors are taking action on a barrier identified in the Western Regional Action Plan, Action 0.6.5, to “simplify the land exchange process between states and the federal government”. At the June Western Governors’ Association Annual Meeting, the Governors adopted Policy Resolution 13-01 Federal-State Land Exchanges and Purchases. The policy will improve management of both federal and state lands in areas where there is checkerboard ownership, or where state lands are completely captive within a federal management area. Using exchanges, federal agencies and the states can consolidate their land holdings to improve land management. Read the article >
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We would like to invite feedback, comments, and suggestions for articles to feature in future editions. Correspondence can be sent to Katie Lighthall.
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