[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 48 (Wednesday, April 4, 2001)]
[Senate]
[Page S3434]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                      RETIREMENT OF CHIEF DOMBECK

 Mr. BINGAMAN. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize and 
thank Forest Service Chief Michael Dombeck. He served as Chief for four 
years, beginning in 1997 until his retirement from Federal service last 
week.
  During his tenure, Chief Dombeck was a good friend to New Mexico. His 
assistance was critical in crafting the Community Forest Restoration 
Act. Enacted into law last year, this program provides grants to New 
Mexico communities to team up with the Forest Service to reduce 
hazardous fuels in and near national forests. I believe this program 
will set a good precedent for communities and Federal land management 
agencies to work in a collaborative manner to take care of our forests.
  Chief Dombeck also quadrupled the budget for the Youth Conservation 
Corps, ``YCC''. YCC programs provide extraordinary benefits to both our 
youth and our natural resources. Through YCC, desperately needed 
restoration work is completed on our public lands. At the same time, 
young people, particularly those living in rural communities in New 
Mexico and throughout the West, engage in meaningful summer employment 
and gain new skills. This program also promotes collaboration between 
communities and Federal land managers.
  Thanks in large part to his efforts and support, YCC is now one of 
the programs eligible for funding set aside by Title VIII of last 
year's Interior Appropriations Act, referred to as the ``Land 
Conservation, Preservation and Infrastructure Improvement'' account.
  Last year, Chief Dombeck provided invaluable expertise as Senator 
Domenici and I worked to provide relief to communities at high risk 
from wildfire that are located in the vicinity of Federal lands. 
Specifically, he assisted us in targeting additional hazardous fuel 
reduction funds near these communities to reduce the threat of fire. In 
addition, he supported our plans to create employment opportunities in 
these communities. To accomplish this objective, we provided new 
authority for the land management agencies to give a preference to 
local people and YCC work crews when awarding contracts and agreements 
to complete the projects and conduct monitoring.
  I commend Chief Dombeck for his efforts to both sustain community 
well-being and enhance the ecological integrity of the national forest 
system. I wish him well as he embarks on a new chapter in his 
life.

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