Oversight Hearing on:

• “Invasive Species Management on Federal Lands”

Archived Video Webcast:

Witnesses and Testimony:

PANEL I

Paul Ries
Associate Deputy Chief
United States Forest Service
Department of Agriculture

Dr. George Beck
Colorado State University
Healthy Habitats Coalition
(Truth in Testimony Form)

Randy C. Dye
President
National Association of State Foresters
(Truth in Testimony Form)

Jason Fearneyhough
Director
Wyoming Department of Agriculture

Debra Hughes
Executive Director
New Mexico Association of Conservative Districts
(Truth in Testimony Form)

James Ogsbury
Executive Director
Western Governors’ Association
(Truth in Testimony Form)

Background:

This hearing will focus on the growing threat of invasive species on federal lands and the impacts on users of federal lands as well as adjoining state and private lands. Invasive species can negatively impact the health of federal lands, such as reducing the productivity of grazing allotments and increasing the risk of wildfire. Furthermore, in areas such as the West, where the federal government is the majority landowner, outbreaks of invasive species on federal lands can infest neighboring lands despite best efforts to manage for such. Witnesses will discuss these impacts, as well as their observations on how federal funds can be spent more efficiently and how federal agencies can better coordinate with state and local efforts to control and eradicate invasive species.

Related Documents:

• Official Hearing Transcript
• Subcommittee Hearing Notice - May 8, 2013
• Subcommittee Hearing Witness List - May 15, 2013