Senate Agriculture Committee questions Michael Boren on wildfire management, timber and staffing at nomination hearing

The Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry held a hearing on the nomination of Michael Boren of Idaho to be Under Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment, focusing on wildfire mitigation, timber policy, workforce capacity at the Forest Service and potential conflicts tied to private land interests.

Committee members pressed Boren on the Forest Service’s reduced staffing levels and capacity to carry out wildfire mitigation, with Ranking Member Amy Klobuchar citing reports that the agency “has reportedly lost more than 4,000 employees since January” and that contracts and projects have been delayed or canceled. Boren said he had not yet fully reviewed staffing levels but committed to working within available resources and to learn the agency’s staffing and program details if confirmed.

Members also asked Boren about a White House proposal to move wildland fire operations out of the USDA. Boren said he had not yet seen the full details of that plan but acknowledged possible reasons for creating a standalone, focused fire agency. He told the committee he was committed to making management of wildfire a major focus if confirmed and highlighted the health and watershed damages that catastrophic fires produce.

On timber and rural economies, Boren described timber production as a tool for forest health, wildfire mitigation and revenue generation and said long-term supply assurances are needed so mills can justify large capital investments; he cited that building a modern lumber mill can cost on the order of $300,000,000 and argued for long-term contracts and coordination with state and private forests to stabilize supply.

Senators also questioned Boren about land ownership patterns in the West, cross-boundary fuels reduction, grazing access and noxious-weed control. Boren described his life-long experience with forests and multiple uses, said he values cooperation with state and local partners, and committed to following guidance from USDA ethics attorneys regarding any potential conflicts of interest tied to his or his family's private land matters.

The committee administered the oath to Boren, heard his opening statement and exchanged questions; the chair left the record open for two business days and no confirmation vote occurred during the hearing.