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The Hayden Town Board voted three to one Thursday night to support the views of the Colorado Environmental Coalition that encourages amending the Healthy Forest Restoration Act, a bill recently passed by the House of Representatives and soon to go before the Senate.

The Coalition says the bill, introduced by Rep. Scott McInnis, R-Grand Junction, does not adequately protect communities at risk of wildfire damage because it only protects federal land -- 15 percent of the wildland-urban interface area. The other 85 percent is private, state or tribal owned property, which is no less at risk of being damaged by wildfires.

These urban-interface areas are what need to be protected, said Jennifer Seidenberg, Northwest field organizer for the CEC. Seidenberg said she wanted to clarify that the CEC was not requesting the Town Board to oppose the act but to simply draft a formal letter endorsing the Coalition's viewpoints to improve the bill to include nonfederal lands in its protection.

Seidenberg also said one of the Coalition's "major problems" with the Healthy Forest Restoration Act is that it "emphasizes scaling back public input."

Hayden Mayor Chuck Grobe said he agreed the bill needed amending. Trustee Richard Hagins said he also agreed with the CEC, and if the town did not send a letter he would send a personal letter to the legislators endorsing its viewpoints.

Trustee Tim Frentress opposed the motion, saying he thought it was more the responsibility of private landowners who choose to build their homes in forested areas.

Trustees Chencho Salazar and Lorraine Johnson were absent.

In other business, the Town Board approved a policy that shows what police equipment is covered by the town to be replaced if it is damaged. Police Chief Jody Lenahan said he realized such a policy was needed when one of his officer's computers crashed last year, and the town did not cover it to be replaced.

The Town Board also approved a reverse 911 test that would verify the accountability of 911 service for the town.

-- To reach Nick Foster call 871-4204

or e-mail nfoster@steamboatpilot.com