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Support grows for 10 forestry positions as lawmakers and witnesses warn of rising wildfire risk
Summary
Sponsors and witnesses told the Senate Finance Committee that additional forestry staff are needed to address wildfire risk, insect‑driven tree mortality and invasive plants; proponents urged funding for 10 FTEs to expand prevention and response capacity.
Senators and witnesses at the April 3 Senate Finance Committee hearing voiced support for a bill (S108) that would fund 10 full‑time equivalent positions in the Department of Environmental Management to strengthen forestry and wildfire prevention efforts.
Sponsor remarks: Senator Ujifusa, sponsor of S108, described historical wildfires in Rhode Island — notably major conflagrations in 1942 and 1951 — and pointed to recent events in Exeter (2023) and West Greenwich (2024) as evidence of ongoing…
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