Good afternoon, everyone. The subcommittee will come to order. T purpose of todays hearing is to receive testimony on 15 bills pending before the pin lands, are forest and mining subcommittee. Because of the large number of bills on todays agenda, i wont go through all of them right now, but the complete agenda will of course be included in the record. I want to note that we have a former member of our committee here, former senator mary landrieu, and we have members who will be joining us shortly who have another Committee Assignment at the moment and others who will be joining us telephonically. I also want to begin by recognizing the staggering loss of life that has occurred embedded within what has shaped up to be a really horrific wildfire season. More than 36 people have perished in infernos raging throughout the western United States this year, dozens more are missing. In oregon, my colleague senator widens home state, thousands have lost their homes and over half a Million Peop
Works subcommittee will address options to address the wild fires and Forest Management. This includes testimony from an interior Deputy Department official and deputy chief of the u. S. Forest service. Good afternoon, everyone. This subcommittee will come to t order. The purpose of todays hearing is to receiveands testimony on i bills pending beforece the publo lands force and mining subcommittee. Because of the large number of t bills onhe todays c agenda, it going to go through all of them right now. But the complete agenda will, of course, be included in the record. I want to note at the outset weve got a former member of our committee here, former senator from louisiana, longtime member of the senate and this committee is in the back. Weve got members who will be at t who have tly another Committee Assignment at the i moment. E. We have others who will be d eme joining us dtelephonically. As i want to recognize the staggering loss of life that has occurred embedded within what has