Source: United States Senator for Colorado Michael Bennet
Denver – Today, Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet congratulated Dan Gibbs, Jim Hubbard, Madelene McDonald, Scott Miller, and Mike Morgan for their nomination to the Wildland Fire Mitigation and Management Commission, created by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL). The Wildland Fire Mitigation and Management Commission will play a key role in recommending ways that federal agencies can better prevent, mitigate, suppress and manage wildland fires. It will also recommend policies and strategies on how to restore the lands affected by wildfire.
“Congratulations to Dan Gibbs, Jim Hubbard, Madelene McDonald, Scott Miller, and Mike Morgan on being named to the Wildland Fire Mitigation and Management Commission,” Bennet said. “As Colorado faces record drought and megafires, Dan, Jim, Madelene, Scott, and Mike are critical voices we must listen to as we seek to restore lands affected by wildfire and prevent future blazes. It is paramount that Coloradans have a seat at the table. This commission – and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s historic investments in our forests – will help us better mitigate and manage wildfires in the long term.”
Out of 500 applicants, Gibbs, Hubbard, McDonald, Miller and Morgan were selected to serve as five of the 36 non-federal members on the commission. Gibbs is the Executive Director of the Colorado Department of Natural Resources. Hubbard was the Under Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and served as the Colorado State Forester from 1984-2004. McDonald is a senior watershed scientist at Denver Water. Miller is the Senior Regional Director for the Southwest Region of The Wilderness Society, based in Colorado. Morgan is the Division Director of the Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control.
Along with 11 federal members, the commission will be co-chaired by Departments of Agriculture, the Interior and FEMA leadership. More details on commission members are available at the Wildland Fire Mitigation and Management Commission website.
In addition to establishing the commission, the BIL provides historic funding for a suite of programs aimed at reducing wildfire risks, detecting wildfires, instituting firefighter workforce reforms and building more resilient infrastructure. The Departments of Agriculture and the Interior have allocated an initial $234 million in BIL investments for wildfire resilience efforts. In April, Bennet, Colorado U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper and U.S. Representative Joe Neguse welcomed U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) Secretary Deb Haaland and U.S. Forest Service (USFS) Chief Randy Moore to Boulder County as they announced over $33 million in funding from the BIL to help Colorado prevent and mitigate wildfires.
The BIL also supports landmark pay increases for federal wildland firefighters, which aim to bring federal firefighter pay in alignment with their state and local counterparts, while aiding in recruitment and retention of a more permanent and stable wildland firefighting force across the federal government. Bennet has championed several reforms to improve pay, job stability, and benefits for federal wildfire personnel.