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Bill Hopes To Fight Bark Beetle, Revive Dying Industry, Create Jobs


DENVER (CBS4) - The bark beetle has killed 4 million acres of trees across Colorado, and now one state lawmaker is pushing a new plan to attack back. The bill banks on reviving a dying industry and creating new jobs.

Sen. Gail Schwartz, D-Snowmass, says not enough has been done to battle the bugs killing our forests.

"We have to have a comprehensive solution for the state of Colorado," she said. "This is too critical of a problem."

Schwartz is the principal backer of Senate Bill 267. It's called the Forest Health Act of 2011.

It's not the first time a Colorado legislator has entered this fight. Mountain communities have also mobilized against the insect invader. And the federal government has spent millions trying to mitigate the problem.

"What we need to identify is a market-based solution," Schwartz said.

What many view as a fire hazard, Schwartz sees as two untapped markets. Her bill creates an expert panel. Its purpose would be to rebuild the dying timber industry and promote additional jobs in the biomass industry.

"We have mills in receivership, mills that are closed," she said. "Those mills are actually important biomass plants."

Her bill already cleared the Democrat-controlled Senate earlier this week and Schwartz says she has bipartisan support.

"Very bipartisan; especially in the impacted parts of the state."

The bill still must still be approved by the Republican-controlled House and the legislative session will end Wednesday at midnight.

If approved by lawmakers, Schwartz's bill would take effect as soon as the governor signs it.

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