Department of Lands presses for wildfire funding, new positions and expanded timber-protection pay; governor recommends large transfers to suppression fund

The Idaho Department of Lands told the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee on Jan. 22 that rising wildfire costs, program growth on federal and private lands and additional preparedness needs justify multiple budget enhancements, including new positions and funding for timber-protection partners.

Director Dustin Miller and Legislative Services analyst Janet Jessup detailed the department—s budget and argued the state must balance suppression reserves with investments in preparedness, mitigation and shared forest management.

Jessup walked the committee through the department—s multiple funding sources and highlighted the fire suppression deficiency warrant fund, a continuously appropriated fund historically prefunded by legislative transfers. She noted the governor recommended transfers totaling $100 million into the suppression account in the current and next fiscal year: a $60 million supplemental transfer for the current year and a $40 million transfer to the deficiency fund in the proposed budget.

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