Lawmakers to Bring Fire Suppression Debate to Seeley Lake

A legislative committee will meet in Seeley Lake June 19 to discuss issues surrounding the state's wildfire suppression efforts. The public is invited to attend and will have an opportunity to comment.

The Fire Suppression Interim Committee will meet from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Chamber of Commerce, 2920 Highway 83 North. Public comment is scheduled for about 10:45 a.m.

The committee is especially interested in hearing public reaction to several draft documents it has produced in recent months. The documents, as well as an agenda, are available on the committee's Web site at www.leg.mt.gov/fire. Click on "Materials and Committee Recommendations to Review Prior to Participating in Public Hearings."

The committee has been traveling the state in an effort to get public feedback on its work. It has already met in Hamilton, Lewistown, and Miles City and plans to hold similar public hearings in Thompson Falls and Libby.

Sen. Carol Williams, D-Missoula, will chair the Seeley Lake meeting.

Other members of the Fire Suppression Interim Committee are Sens. John Cobb, R-Augusta; Ken Hansen, D-Harlem; Rick Laible, R-Darby; Dave Lewis, R-Helena; and Gerald Pease, D-Lodge Grass; and Reps. Steve Bolstad, D-Great Falls; Jim Keane, D-Butte; Krayton Kerns, R-Laurel; Rick Ripley, R-Wolf Creek; Chas Vincent, R-Libby; and Bill Wilson, D-Great Falls.

For more information, contact Leanne Heisel, legislative research analyst and committee staffer, at 444-3593 or lheisel@mt.gov.