49 



Statement of Leon F. Neuenschwander 



Testimony Presented to US House of Representatives, 

 Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Lands 



Chairman, James V. Hansen 

 Testimony by Leon F. Neuenschwander 



September 12, 1996 



Leon F Neuenschwander, Professor 



University of Idaho, Department Forestry Resources 



Moscow, Idaho, 83844 



208 885 2101 



WTESTdoc 



Chairman Hansen, distinguished members of this committee, it is a 

 privilege to have the opportunity to present my testimony to you 

 today. 



Every year more and more money is spent suppressing wildland 

 fires. However, each year the number of acres burned and the 

 amount of damage sustained also increases. Common sense says that 

 it is time for a change. I am not suggesting that we abandon fire 

 suppression activities. I am suggesting that we determine the 

 underlying problems causing increased fire activity and then try to 

 fix those specific problems. 



There is a disturbing trend in the West in some, but not all, forested 

 types in which the size, intensity, and frequency of wildfires is 

 increasing. In my opinion, increased wildland fire activity is a 

 symptom of declining health within our Western forests and range 

 lands. 



I believe that there are several contributing factors for this, including: 



• the increase in the number of people living in the intermix 

 between wildlands and human communities, 



• the introduction of exotic species of plants, insects, and 

 diseases, 



