Washington, D.C. — 

Senator John Thune (R-S.D.), member of the Senate Agriculture Subcommittee on Conservation, Forestry and Natural Resources, today questioned the witness panel about pine beetle infestation management at a hearing today titled, “Shortchanging Our Forests: How Tight Budgets and Management Decisions Can Increase the Risk of Wildfire.” Key witnesses at today’s hearing included Jim Hubbard, Deputy Chief, State and Private Forestry of the U.S. Forest Service and Tom Troxel from Rapid City, South Dakota, Executive Director, Intermountain Forest Association. Also responding to Thune’s questions were panelists Dr. Chris Topik, The Nature Conservancy, and Ms. Sallie Clark, National Association of Counties. Thune discussed funding priorities and environmental law challenges faced by the U.S. Forest Service and how these issues are hampering pine beetle suppression efforts in the Black Hills.

Video of Thune’s statement and questions at today’s subcommittee hearing can be viewed here and downloaded for use here.