
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: MONDAY, July 30, 1990                   TAG: 9007300130
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: A/4   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: CHARLOTTESVILLE                                LENGTH: Short

FUND WOES MAY CUT FOREST-FIRE RESPONSE

The state's projected $300 million budget deficit could leave more than 30 positions at the Virginia Department of Forestry vacant and damage efforts to fight forest fires, state foresters say.

"We are not saying that we won't respond to a fire, but it will take us longer to get there," said Don Morton, the department's acting fire chief. "And that has to do with saving lives and property."

Gov. Douglas Wilder on Aug. 17 is to announce a plan to deal with the shortfall. By that date, state agencies are to submit plans for reducing their spending by 1 percent to 5 percent.

"The impact is going to be major for us," Deputy State Forester Caleb Pennock said. "It is definitely going to reduce our services."

A 5 percent cut for the Department of Forestry would amount to $606,000, Pennock said. Without that money, the department would have to leave at least 30 positions vacant - which would leave the forest fire-fighting program understaffed, he said. The vacancies also would hinder programs to plant trees, reduce water pollution and manage timberland, Pennock said.

The money shortage already is being felt at the department's headquarters in Charlottesville, where five positions - including chief of fire management and chief fire investigator - have been vacant for months because of the anticipated cuts, Pennock said.

by CNB