US House Hurricane Recovery Hearing

The House Resources Subcommittee on Forests and Forest Health held an oversight hearing on Friday, October 7 in Washington, D.C. on Restoration after Recent Hurricanes and other Natural Disasters: the Federal Role in Recovery after Catastrophic Events Affecting Forest Lands.

The hearing, chaired by Rep. Greg Walden (OR), focused on the impacts of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, which devastated millions of acres of forestland valued in the billions of dollars.
Witnesses included USDA Forest Service Chief Dale Bosworth; Mississippi Forestry Association, Executive Vice President Bruce Alt; Mississippi State Forester Everard Baker; Larry Jarrett of the Natural Resources Initiative; James Cummins of the MS Fish and Wildlife Foundation; and other representatives of public agencies and private organizations. MFA and other witnesses stressed the need to quickly to restore the damaged forests, minimize the risk from catastrophic fire and capture the value of the downed timber. They suggested that numerous obstacles impede appropriate and timely action, and urged Congress to facilitate recovery processes.

To request an email copy of MFA's oral testimony, please contact MFA.