VIDEO: Heinrich Fights For Wildfire Funding Reform, Advocates For Healthy Watersheds

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today during a Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources hearing on forest health, U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) advocated for wildfire funding reform to restore New Mexico's forests to healthy conditions in order to reduce catastrophic wildfires. The senator also discussed the affects watersheds have on outdoor recreation and permit programs in New Mexico. A list of the witnesses at today's hearing is available here.

Senator Heinrich is a leading advocate of catastrophic wildfire prevention programs in New Mexico, including hazardous fuel reduction and watershed restoration.

During the hearing Senator Heinrich also discussed the impact increased timber sales would have on watershed restoration projects in New Mexico and their affect on recreational facilities and permit programs. Outdoor recreation activities in New Mexico generate $6.1 billion annually in consumer spending and are also directly responsible for 68,000 New Mexico jobs.