This week, Congress passed the Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act of 2013 (HR 933) that will fund federal agencies through the end of the fiscal year. The bill continues funding levels enacted as part of the FY12 Interior, Environment and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill (including the USDA Forest Service) and does not change current law with respect to sequestration. Reductions were made to some Forest Service programs including a 1.1% reduction to the National Forest System and a 6% reduction to Capital Improvement and Maintenance. These reductions are in addition to those installed per the sequester that went into effect on March 1st. Adjustments were also made to the Wildland Fire Management account at the Forest Service that will fund suppression efforts at the 10 year average.
