HomeMy WebLinkAboutWildland-Urban Interface Council LtrAugust 25, 2009
The Honorable Jeff Merkley
107 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
Dear Senator Merkley,
Board of County Commissioners
1300 NW Wall St, Suite 200 • Bend, OR 97701-1960
[541) 388-6570 • Fax [541] 385-3202
www. co. deschutes. or. us
board @co.deschutes. or. us
Tammy Haney
Dennis R. Luke
Alan Linger
We are writing to ask for your assistance in the establishment of a National Wildland/Urban
Interface(WLTI) Council and a White House -sponsored conference concerning WUI fire. This
was one of several recommendations overwhelmingly supported by a National Blue Ribbon
Panel examining WUI wildfire mitigation programs in 2007 and 2008.
This issue holds particular importance for Deschutes County where wildfire mitigation has
always been a significant priority. In fact, Deschutes County Forester Joe Stutler was asked to
participate in the National Blue Ribbon Panel and has since expressed the critical value this
council may provide in addressing this important issue. Several organizations that were able to
fund the initial effort, including the International Fire Code Council, can no longer continue to
provide that support. A letter from two of your colleagues, Sen. Max Baucus and Sen. Jon
Tester, requesting support from the secretaries of Agriculture, Interior and Homeland Security
has been included.
We appreciate your consideration and ask support of your colleagues in the establishment of this
council would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for your continued service.
Sincerely,
Tammy Baney, Chair
Dennis Luke, Vice Chair
Alan Unger, Commissioner
Enhancing the Lives of Citizens by Delivering Quality Services in a Cost -Effective Manner
United ,*tates senate
WASHINGTON, DC 20510
August 11, 2009
The Honorable Tom Vilsack
Secretary
Department of Agriculture
1400 Independence Avenue SW
Washington, D,C, 20250-0002
The Honorable Ken Salazar
Secretary
U.S. Department of the Interior
1849 C Street, NW
Washington, D.C. 20240
The Ilonorable Janet Napolitano
Secretary
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Washington, D.C. 20528
Dear Secretaries Vilsack, Salazar and Napolitano:
We are writing to bring your attention to the threat wildfires pose for an increasing number of
Americans and to urge you to support an effort to study the issue.
This threat is growing as more Americans choose to build their homes within and around our
nation's forests. It is particularly difficult and dangerous for firefighters to protect people and their
property in these vv'ildland/urban interface areas, or WUIs. Fires in the WUI are taking the lives of an
increasing number of our emergency first responders, as well as destroying homes, neighborhoods,
communities, and businesses. They are occurring in nearly every state and cost taxpayers billions of
dollars.
In an effort to examine current WUI wildfire mitigation programs, the International Code
Council (ICC), in collaboration with over 40 other national organizations, spearheaded the formation
of a National Blue Ribbon Panel (BRP) to examine all issues relevant to the WUI fire issue, After
several brainstorming sessions, this group identified problems and recommended improvements in
national, state, and local management of this escalating problem. BRP met several times starting in
June 2007 and released their final report in mid 2008.
The panel identified five key areas to examine: Education, Initiatives, Regulation, Mitigation,
and Suppression, In addition, the group overwhelmingly supported the establishment of a national
Wildland/Urban Interface Council and a White House -sponsored conference concerning
Wildland/Urban Interface fire. This unique effort was entirely funded by participating groups and did
not utilize federal assistance,
August 11, 2009
Page 2
We understand that because of the current economic crisis, International Code Council and
other groups that helped fund the initial effort no longer have funding to continue this work. We
support seeing this effort continue and ask you to work with the International Code Council to identify
potential sources of funding within your departments to help establish the National Wildland/Urban
Interface Council. A diverse collection of private and non-profit groups, working in collaboration with
federal and state organizations presents a unique opportunity to develop new ideas and make progress
in fighting the growing threat of wildland fires.
Sincerely,
oc„..,,,
August 25, 2009
The Honorable Ron Wyden
223 Dirksen Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
Dear Senator Wyden,
Board of County Commissioners
1300 NW Wall St, Suite 200 • Bend, OR 97701-1960
(541) 388-6570 • Fax (541) 385 3202
www.co.deschutes.or.us
board@co.deschuteE.or.us
Tammy Baney
Dennis R. Luke
Alan Unger
We are writing to ask for your assistance in the establishment of a National Wildland/Urban
Interface(WUI) Council and a White House -sponsored conference concerning WLTI fire. This
was one of several recommendations overwhelmingly supported by a National Blue Ribbon
Panel examining WLTI wildfire mitigation programs in 2007 and 2008.
This issue holds particular importance for Deschutes County where wildfire mitigation has
always been a significant priority. In fact, Deschutes County Forester Joe Stutler was asked to
participate in the National Blue Ribbon Panel and has since expressed the critical value this
council may provide in addressing this important issue. Several organizations that were able to
fund the initial effort, including the International Fire Code Council, can no longer continue to
provide that support. A letter from two of your colleagues, Sen. Max Baucus and Sen. Jon
Tester, requesting support from the secretaries of Agriculture, Interior and Homeland Security
has been included.
We appreciate your consideration and would ask that any effort you can provide in support of
your colleagues in the establishment of this council would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for
your continued service.
Sincerely,
Tammy Baney, Chair
Dennis Luke, Vice Chair
Alan Unger, Commissioner
Enhancing the Lives of Citizens by Delivering Quality Services in a Cost -Effective Manner
nited Mates *mate
WASHINGTON, DC 20510
August 11, 2009
The Honorable Tom Vilsack
Secretary
Department of Agriculture
1400 Independence Avenue SW
Washington, D.C, 20250-0002
The Honorable Ifen Salazar
Secretary
U.S. Department of the Interior
1849 C Street, NW
Washington, D.C. 20240
The Ilonorable Janet Napolitano
Secretary
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Washington, D.C. 20528
Dear Secretaries Vilsack, Salazar and Napolitano:
We are writing to bring your attention to the threat wildfires pose for an increasing number of
Americans and to urge you to support an effort to study the issue.
This threat is growing as more Americans choose to build their homes within and around our
nation's forests. It is particularly difficult and dangerous for firefighters to protect people and their
property in these wildland/urban interface areas, or WUIs. Fires in the WUI are taking the lives of an
increasing number of our emergency first responders, as well as destroying homes, neighborhoods,
communities, and businesses. They are occurring in nearly every state and cost taxpayers billions of
dollars.
In an effort to examine current WUI wildfire mitigation programs, the International Code
Council (ICC), in collaboration with over 40 other national organizations, spearheaded the formation
of a National Blue Ribbon Panel (BRP) to examine all issues relevant to the WUI fire issue. After
several brainstorming sessions, this group identified problems and recommended improvements in
national, state, and local management of this escalating problem. BRP met several times starting in
June 2007 and released their final report in mid 2008.
The panel identified five key areas to examine: Education, Initiatives, Regulation, Mitigation,
and Suppression, In addition, the group overwhelmingly supported the establishment of a national
WildlandfUrban Interface Council and a White House -sponsored conference concerning
WildlandiUrban Interface fire. This unique effort was entirely funded by participating groups and dick
not utilize federal assistance.
August 11, 2009
Page 2
We understand that because of the current economic crisis, International Code Council and
other groups that helped fund the initial effort no longer have funding to continue this work. We
support seeing this effort continue and ask you to work with the International Code Council to identify
potential sources of funding within your departments to help establish the National Wildland/Urban
Interface Council. A diverse collection of private and non-profit groups, working in collaboration with
federal and state organizations presents a unique opportunity to develop new ideas and make progress
in fighting the growing threat of wildland fires.
Sincerely,
4 c,_._,‘„,,,____