News Release USDA Forest Service Washington, D.C.
FS-0234	Contact: Joe Walsh, 202-205-1134

 

FOREST SERVICE NAMES NATIONAL FIRE PLAN COORDINATOR

WASHINGTON, August 7, 2002 – U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service Chief Dale Bosworth today appointed Corbin Newman as the National Fire Plan Forest Service coordinator.

As coordinator, Newman will provide overall national leadership for the Forest Service’s implementation of the National Fire Plan such as hiring additional fire fighters, hazardous fuels reduction, restoration and rehabilitation of burned areas and programs that assist state and local agencies. He will also coordinate with leadership of the Department of the Interior and state foresters. In 2002, over $2.26 billion was allocated for implementation of the National Fire Plan. The Forest Service budget for the National Fire Plan is almost $1.6 billion with the balance going to agencies in the Department of the Interior.

“Because of his thorough knowledge of the budget process and his practical on the ground experience as a district ranger and forest supervisor Corbin has an excellent mix of background and skills for the national coordinator position,” said Bosworth.

Newman has been with the Forest Service for 25 years and has worked at every level of the agency in both the eastern and western parts of the country. He was budget coordinator for the National Forest System deputy chief area for two and half years and prior to that served as forest supervisor of the Huron-Manistee National Forest in Michigan. He was also a district ranger on the Allegheny National Forest in Pennsylvania.

Newman replaces Lyle Laverty who retired in January. The responsibilities of national coordinator have been handled through temporary assignments since then.

For more information about the National Fire Plan, visit http://www.fireplan.gov/

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