Lawmakers to Bring Fire Suppression Debate to Choteau
A legislative committee will meet Aug. 20 in Choteau to discuss issues surrounding the state's wildfire suppression efforts and to hear public comment on those issues.
The Fire Suppression Interim Committee will meet from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Stage Stop Inn, 1005 N. Main Ave. The first two hours of the meeting will be devoted to public comment.
The committee is especially interested in hearing public reaction to several draft documents it has produced over the past year. The documents, as well as a meeting 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 previously met in Hamilton, Lewistown, Miles City, Thompson Falls, and Seeley Lake.
Also on the agenda are:
An update on the costs of 2008 fire suppression efforts;
A report on wood-products infrastructure;
A video presentation, produced by Augusta High School students, about the 2007 Ahron fire; and
A preliminary discussion of the committee's draft report and recommendations to the 2009 Legislature.
Sen. John Cobb, R-Augusta, and Rep. Rick Ripley, R-Wolf Creek, will co-chair the Choteau meeting.
Other members of the Fire Suppression Interim Committee are Sens. Ken Hansen, D-Harlem; Rick Laible, R-Darby; Dave Lewis, R-Helena; Gerald Pease, D-Lodge Grass; and Carol Williams, D-Missoula; and Reps. Steve Bolstad, D-Great Falls; Jim Keane, D-Butte; Krayton Kerns, R-Laurel; 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.
