Interior Appropriations Subcommittee Ranking Member Mike Simpson participated in a subcommittee hearing today to review the U.S. Forest Service’s ability to manage its budget.  This is the second in a series of hearings intended to provide oversight for agencies whose funding falls under the jurisdiction of the subcommittee. 

“I have always believed that Congress has an important—and unfortunately sometimes overlooked—role in overseeing the way the money we appropriate to the agencies is spent by them,” said Simpson.  “As we have conducted these hearings, that belief has only been strengthened.”

In today’s hearing, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) and the USDA Inspector General testified about the management challenges facing the U.S. Forest Service, especially as they face significantly growing costs for wildfire suppression.  With the number of acres burned by wildland fires having increased by 70 percent over the past decade, the cost of fighting fires now makes up close to half of the agency’s budget.

“One of the biggest concerns I have regarding the Forest Service budget is the fact that no matter how much we appropriate for fuel reduction, healthy forest management, and other efforts to reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfires in the future, each year that money gets sucked out of the budget to fight catastrophic fires happening that year.  We end up simply chasing our tales,” said Simpson, “rather than practicing good management of our resources.  Addressing the fire budget is one of my top priorities.”

During the hearing, the witnesses also testified that the agency must dramatically improve its ability to oversee financial and performance accountability.  According to GAO testimony, “The agency has not always been able to provide Congress and the public with a clear understanding of what its 30,000 employees accomplish with the approximately $5 billion the agency receives every year.”  Congressman Simpson expressed his deep concern with this conclusion during the hearing.

“As an appropriator, this is a devastating statement,” Simpson declared.  “If I can’t tell you what I’m accomplishing with the money you’ve appropriated to me, what right do I have to come in here and ask you for more money the next year?”

Next week the subcommittee is scheduled to hold its third oversight hearing, where witnesses will testify regarding the EPA.