Appropriation Language

For necessary expenses for forest fire presuppression activities on National Forest System lands, for emergency fire suppression on or adjacent to such lands or other lands under fire protection agreement, and for emergency rehabilitation of burned over National Forest System lands, $514,311,000 to remain available until expended: Provided, That unexpended balances of amounts previously appropriated under any other headings for Forest Service fire activities are transferred to and merged with this appropriation and subject to the same terms and conditions: Provided further, That such funds

are available for repayment of advances from other appropriations accounts previously transferred for such purposes.

Budget Restructuring

Since FY 1996, funding for this program has been provided under the Wildland Fire Management appropriation. That appropriation included two budget line items: Preparedness and Fire Use; and, Suppression Operations. Preparedness and Fire Use included funds for preparedness and hazardous fuels reduction activities. Suppression Operations included funds for emergency fire suppression,

1998 Explanatory Notes

USDA Forest Service

emergency rehabilitation of severely burned National Forest System lands, and preparedness activities due to emergencies (severity). The new budget structure moves hazardous fuels reduction activities from the Preparedness and Fire Use budget line item (renamed Preparedness) to the Suppression Operations budget line item (renamed Fire Operations). This allows flexibility in funding

hazardous fuels activities to more effectively address the health of the Nation's forests without detracting from the capability to prevent forest fires and to take prompt, effective initial attack suppression action on wildfires. Funding needs for fire operations above the appropriated level for Fire Operations would be accommodated from a government-wide emergency contingency account.

1998 Explanatory Notes

USDA, Forest Service

reparedness

most efficient level (MEL) of firefighting organization. It does this by projecting estimated fire suppression costs and net changes to natural resource values, for a range of scenarios associated with different levels of fire "preparedness" funding. In the analysis, the net changes in resource values (NVC) reflect the cost of damages incurred by fires, less the value of benefits of the residual forest, such as timber salvage values or improved wildlife habitat. The analysis is based on historical data and economic efficiency principles.

NFMAS estimates the expected suppression operations cost and NVC for a given preparedness budget. Since the actual severity of any single fire season varies, the actual suppression operations cost and NVC experienced in a particular year also will vary. The budget for the most efficient preparedness organization identified by the analysis is the one that will result in the lowest program cost over time.

The chart below illustrates this relationship. The upper curve is the total cost, including damages to natural resources and emergency suppression operations costs, of the program; its lowest point identifies the most efficient program budget level. The lowest cash outlay, where the sum of preparedness and suppression operations expenditure is minimized, also occurs at the most efficient level.

• Program in FY 1998

The proposed budget will allow funding for preparedness activities at $303,311,000. This level of funding represents, on a nationwide basis, 78 percent of the most efficient level (MEL) fire organization and capability to prevent forest fires and take prompt, effective initial attack suppression operations action on wildfires. Preparedness funding will vary by Region based on the overall optimization of protection resources. MEL in FY 1998 is $390 million. Using this model, it is predicted that funding preparedness activities below 100 percent of MEL increases the likelihood of higher fire suppression costs and greater risks to public and firefighter safety.

1998 Explanatory Notes

USDA, Forest Service

• Objectives

prolonged absence of fire, forests have become more dense and fuels have accumulated above historic levels. Periods of drought, damage from extensive insect epidemics, and severe wildfires compromise forest health and sustainable outputs, both commodity and amenity.

The principal benefit of fuel treatment is hazard abatement resulting in reduced damages to natural resources on both NFS lands and adjacent private and public land when fire occurs. Fuel management activities help reduce the intensity of wildfires, resulting in increased fire fighter safety, improved protection of property, and lower fire suppression operations costs. Other secondary benefits include increased use of woody material for fiber and as a Source of energy, improved recreation opportunities, increased grazing opportunities, improved wildlife habitat, increased water yields, improved sites for reforestation, and the restoration and maintenance of fire-dependent ecosystems.

Burned Area Emergency Rehabilitation: Fire Operations provides funds for expenses directly related to the emergency rehabilitation of severely burned NFS lands. Rehabilitation activities are initiated promptly following wildfire to stabilize soil, control water run-off, minimize sediment and debris movement, and to minimize threats to human life and property.

Severity Funding: Fire Operations funds may be used to increase the level of fire preparedness when predicted or actual burning conditions exceed those normally expected and wildfire ignitions are deemed to be imminent and for extended fire seasons. Funds used for this purpose are called "severity funding".

⚫ Program in FY 1998

The proposed budget would provide $211,000,000 for suppression of wildfires on or threatening National Forest System (NFS) lands, the rehabilitation of severely burned NFS lands to prevent further damage to natural resources, presuppression capability and preparedness when burning conditions warrant