Bush Budget Cuts Funding For Fire Preparedeness, Forest Service Brush-Clearing Programs

[hatrack]

WASHINGTON - President Bush's 2009 budget plan would slash money for fire prevention and preparedness in the wake of last fall's devastating wildfires in California, prompting an outcry from Democratic lawmakers who warned of massive layoffs at the Forest Service. Bush did propose a slight increase in money to respond to fires.

The proposals were in Bush's final $3.1 trillion budget blueprint, which he presented to Congress on Monday. Majority Democrats quickly indicated that they wouldn't go along with many of his plans. "Our nation's forests are tinder-dry, and drought and global warming will only compound the problem and lead to more catastrophic wildfires," said U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif. "More needs to be done, not less."

Among the proposed cuts was a $13 million decrease in money for the Forest Service to clear debris and small trees that can pose a risk of fire.

Money for preparedness and readiness, such as firefighter training and equipment, would fall from $942 million to $866 million, according to Democratic aides. Overall, the budget for the U.S. Forest Service would decline from $4.5 billion in 2008 to $4.1 billion in 2009 under Bush's proposal.

EDIT

http://www.mercurynews.com/healthandscience/ci_8172218

[gateley]

1. Bush budget cuts funding for EVERYTHING. Really. God I hate that man. nt

[dchill]

2. He is detestable.

A hateful war pimp for the criminal corporate slime. He is their president - we never elected him.

[LSK]

5. Everything except the War Machine

:grr: :grr: :grr:

[damntexdem]

3. Maybe he's just trying to make work for himself after he leaves the WH:

clearing brush.

Well, if his cuts go through, in the future bushfires will be known as Bushfires.

But his cuts will occur only if a spineless Dem Congress goes along -- Dubya CAN be stopped.

[LSK]

4. this fucking asshole made this budget like he is playing a fucking game

:grr: :grr: :grr: :grr: :grr:

[jeffreyi]

6. A not so subtle "land and resource grab"...

the repubs have been on track to kill off the Forest Service (and probably privatize public lands, in my opinion) ever since Reagan took office, by the process of slow financial starvation. A national tragedy.