National News

Udall will badger Senate for more wildfire funds

Sen. Mark Udall, D-Colo., told reporters Wednesday that he is angry that little of the $30 million the federal government promised for fighting wildfires in Colorado and Wyoming this year has yet to arrive in the state. "It's hot and dry and we have millions of acres of bark beetle-killed trees that could burn," Udall said.

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Senate denies Udall’s bark beetle funding

New federal funding to combat bark beetles isn't on the way after all. Sen. Mark Udall, D-Colo., announced Wednesday that senators would send $50 million for the U.S. Forest Service and National Park Service to remove dangerous, dead trees near campgrounds and reservoirs. However, the amendment by Udall and other Western senators did not make it into the final version of an emergency funding bill for the military and disaster relief. "Anyone driving west on I-70 understands the seriousness of this problem, and I'm disappointed this amendment failed to be included in this bill, especially now with fire season around the corner," Udall said in a prepared statement Friday. Udall said he would keep seeking additional funding for the beetle threat.

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Unprecedented forest management eyed in the valley

The U.S. Forest Service wants to burn and mulch the forest surrounding the Roaring Fork basin at an unprecedented level over the next five years to restore wildlife habitat described by officials as being in “horrible” condition. The White River National Forest supervisor's office in Glenwood Springs is considering prescribed burns, mechanical treatment with heavy machinery or a combination of the two on about 57,000 acres.

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Woodmoor residents - wildfire mitigation Fed. tax deduction

Property owners may subtract from federal taxable income 50% of the costs incurred in performing wildfire mitigation measures as long as they meet certain criteria, including living within a wildland urban interface and performing mitigation according to a community wildfire protection plan (CWPP).

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Udall beetle-kill meeting canceled by bitter Republicans

Republicans angered over the passage of health care legislation Sunday have blocked a hearing scheduled by U.S. Sen. Mark Udall for this afternoon on how to protect Colorado cities and towns from the hazards of the beetle infestation that has ravaged millions of acres of lodge pole pine tress here.

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