By Naomi Hatch A resolution requesting political and financial support from members of the Arizona Congressional Delegation, the Secretary of the Interior and the Chief of the Forest Service for forest management efforts taking place in Arizona was approved by the Snowflake Town Council last week. Navajo County Government Affairs Director Hunter Moore, who also serves as executive director of the Real AZ Corridor, presented the resolution to the council for consideration Feb. 11. Moore said he is talking to several councils and asking for support when they go back east to speak with the delegation at the end of February. “The resolution asks the recipients to take meaningful steps to provide increased financial support to Arizona’s local forests, particularly the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests, so existing forest management industry in the White Mountain region will be supplied with enough treatable acres,” according to backup material. Moore explained that the forest management industry relies on the U.S. Forest Service to make treatable acres available in order to have a wood supply for services and products. There is concern that a shortage would interrupt the workflow and profitability for the forest management industry, causing instability and insolvency within it. The forest industry and area Forest Service officials are concerned that there might not be enough treatable acreage available in the future, particularly in the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests, which will not be able to keep pace with demand without additional funds. “Consequently, if the forest management industry does not have a reliable and continuous supply of wood fiber, they will be unable to further the restoration efforts in the national forests, and the investment and effort to re-grow industry in the White Mountain region will have been squandered,” states the backup information. Moore said that the resolution does three things: outlines the history of the timber industry; talks about the catastrophic wildfires in Arizona since the 1990s; and talks about a consensus that emerged among forest stakeholders after the Rodeo-Chediski fire that the growing size and frequency of wildfires demand a new approach to forest management, which must include partnerships and investment with private industry to thin Arizona’s forests. In response to a question posed by Mayor Kelly Willis, Moore said that there is nothing specific regarding financial support, noting, “The reason is, I’m working with a number of CEOs and presidents.” “One of its strong arguments being made is the millions and millions of dollars that we spend on fighting fires,” said Town Manager Paul Watson, noting that if a portion of that money was put into maintenance they could be proactive rather than reactive. The council unanimously approved the resolution.