MEDIA ADVISORY

Assistant Secretary Watson to Discuss President's Healthy
Forest Initiative at Fort Lewis College in Durango, Oct. 17

Presentation will focus on restoring the health of our forests
and rangelands, and the protection of people and property

WASHINGTON -- Assistant Secretary of the Interior Rebecca Watson will be in Durango, Colo. Thursday, Oct. 17, 2002, to give a presentation and discuss President Bush's Healthy Forest Initiative. The Assistant Secretary's presentation will focus on management and protection of the nation's public lands from wildfires and the protection of people and communities in the wildland urban interface.

"The President's Healthy Forests Initiative is based on a commonsense approach to reducing the threat of catastrophic wildfires by restoring forest health," Assistant Secretary Watson said. "We all share mutual goals in safeguarding our communities, forests and rangelands, and to protecting property from wildfires. By working together as partners, we can restore the health of our forests, reduce the risk of wildfires and improve the management of our lands."

Assistant Secretary Watson has administrative and managerial responsibility for the Interior Department's Bureau of Land Management, Minerals Management Service, and the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement. She also serves on a work group for the Health Forest Initiative.

Who: Rebecca Watson, Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Land and Minerals Management

What: Presentation and discussion of the President's Healthy Forest Initiative

When: Thursday, Oct. 17, 2002, at 7 p.m. (MDT)

Where: Fort Lewis College, Noble Hall
               Location: Rm. 130

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