Composition Over Division: The Statutes of the National Forest System

In September 2020, the U.S. Forest Service took extraordinary step of closing all 18 national forests in California. The risk catastrophic fire had become so acute that tolerating any human visitors—who could ignite more—was no longer tenable. Damages from fires 2020 are still being tallied, but catastrophe is hard to deny. Five state’s six largest on record occurred 2020. Migrating birds dropped sky by thousands some combination asphyxiation, exhaustion, and starvation. An estimated 80% California’s watersheds recently burned 2019, leaving them immediately vulnerable mudslides. smoke has West’s worst air pollution source far. Proximity forests, long what homebuyers craved, now a grave threat across West. outlines problem apparent Service’s budget. fiscal year (FY) Congress spent $8.2 billion agency, 36% more than FY 2011 constant dollars. Almost $5 was fire. As people build fire-prone areas, been will be suppressing fires. A statute creating revolving fund consistently failed cover those costs—leaving agency borrowing its regular accounts. research done treating fuels, unlikely it appears we treat our way out. Congress, fair say, hemorrhaging money with little prospect improving.