[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2002, Book I)]
[May 23, 2002]
[Pages 858-859]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Statement on the Conference on Improving Forest Health and Reducing Risk 
of Wildfire
May 23, 2002

    I commend Secretary Norton and Secretary 
Veneman for their strong leadership in 
addressing the widespread problems of declining forest health and the 
risk of destructive wildfires, particularly in the West. Today's 
conference, highlighting the completion of the Ten Year Comprehensive 
Strategy Implementation Plan, marks an important new cooperative effort 
between the Federal Government, States, local governments, Native 
American tribes, and concerned citizens and organizations. Working 
together, we will promote sound forest management to restore forest 
health and make the recreational opportunities and resources of our 
forests more accessible. In many areas, this will require active forest 
management efforts to thin our forests of excessive natural fuels and 
restore native vegetation to our forests and rangelands.
    Our goal is to reduce the threat that wildfires pose to homes, 
communities, and the environment. Severe drought conditions in many 
areas of the United States make it essential that we cooperate in our 
efforts to fight fires and reduce the fuel loads that cause them. 
Cooperation will also enable us to move forward on other important 
endeavors, such as improving the performance of the Northwest Forest 
Plan. I thank Governor Kempthorne and 
Governor Kitzhaber for their help in 
crafting this bipartisan agreement and for hosting this important 
conference.

[[Page 859]]

Note: The statement referred to Gov. Kirk Kempthorne of Idaho and Gov. 
John A. Kitzhaber of Oregon.