U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service Chief Dale Bosworth recently appointed Corbin Newman as the National Fire Plan Forest Service coordinator.

As coordinator, Newman will provide overall national leadership for the Forest Service's implementation of the National Fire Plan such as the hiring of additional firefighters, reduction of hazardous fuels, restoration and rehabilitation of burned areas, and development of programs that assist state and local agencies. He will also coordinate with leadership of the Department of the Interior and state foresters. In 2002, over $2.26 billion was allocated for implementation of the National Fire Plan. The Forest Service budget for the National Fire Plan is almost $1.6 billion with the balance going to agencies in the Department of the Interior.

“Because of his thorough knowledge of the budget process and his practical on-the-ground experience as a district ranger and forest supervisor, Corbin has an excellent mix of background and skills for the national coordinator position,” Bosworth said in a press statement.

Newman has been with the Forest Service for 25 years and has worked at every level of the agency in both the eastern and western parts of the country. He was budget coordinator for the National Forest System deputy chief area for more than two years and prior to that served as forest supervisor of the Huron-Manistee National Forest in Michigan. He was also a district ranger on the Allegheny National Forest in Pennsylvania.

Newman replaces Lyle Laverty, who retired in January. The responsibilities of national coordinator have been handled through temporary assignments since then.

The National Fire Plan is a cooperative, long-term effort of the Forest Service, Department of the Interior, and the National Association of State Foresters. For more about the plan, visit www.fireplan.gov.