Daschle, Johnson Pleased Forest Service Agrees to Their Request to Provide Additional Funding to Complete Thinning Work in the Black Hills

WASHINGTON, DC - Senator Tom Daschle and Senator Tim Johnson said today they are pleased the U.S. Forest service will transfer an additional $1.625 million to the Black Hills National Forest (BHNF) for the Forest Service's timber sale program. Daschle and Johnson requested the additional funding in a letter sent to USDA Forest Service Chief Dale Bosworth on March 27, and reiterated that request on Wednesday. Black Hills National Forest Supervisor John Twiss informed Daschle and Johnson's office of the transfer of additional funds today.

The $1.625 in additional funding is necessary to implement the BHNF's timber sale program, and offer up to 76 million board feet of timber for harvest.

"I am pleased the Forest Service has responded to our request to provide the additional funding necessary to meet the Forest Service's timber sales goals in the Black Hills," Daschle said. "This funding is critically important to the viability and stability of the Black Hills timber program, and will help the Forest Service improve critical fire protection initiatives."

"This $1.625 million will help complete the timber sale program, harvest burned and damaged trees, reduce dangerous fuel loads, and provide a steady supply of green timber for South Dakota's timber resource sector. No one wants to see a repeat of last year's devastating forest fires in the Black Hills. I'm glad to see that the U.S. Forest Service has responded so quickly to our request," Johnson said.

In the letter sent to Chief Bosworth on March 27, Daschle and Johnson expressed their concern that a lack of funding was preventing the Black Hills Forest Service from meeting the Forest Service's timber program commitments. Daschle and Johnson also sent a letter to Chief Bosworth on Wednesday urging the Forest Service to expedite its thinning program and to work closely with regional and local foresters so the thinning and timber sales goals are met this fiscal year.

During fiscal years 2002 and 2003, a total of 120 million board feet were scheduled to be sold under the Forest Service's timber sales program. However, only 44 million board feet were sold during 2002. So, to meet the two-year goal, 76 million board feet need to be sold in 2003.

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