But will the Commission survive Trump-Musk cuts and Trump hostility toward Canada?
Representative Cotter will serve as the legislative
representative for Rhode Island. The appointment was made last week by Gov.
Daniel McKee.
The commission’s objectives include developing integrated
forest fire plans, maintaining adequate forest fire fighting services by member
agencies, providing for mutual aid in fighting forest fires and establishing a
central agency to coordinate the services of the member agencies.
EDITOR'S NOTE: Megan's appointment is well deserved, given her strong commitment to helping Rhode Island communities prevent and fight fires. And this Commission has been an effective tool to encourage interstate as well as international cooperation with Canada, lining up mutual aid to fight large fires. However, the future of that work and this commission are in doubt. Add to that, the Trump administration's hostility toward any program that benefits the Blue state Northeast.
We are in an economic state of war with Canada and who knows what will happen if King Donald pursues his delusional quest to take over Canada. Further, the Interior Department which staffs and channels funding for this Commission's work is already being chain-sawed to death by President Musk. An example is in today's news about the abrupt end of the National Fire Academy training programs which is run by FEMA. - Will Collette
“I’m honored to join the Northeastern Forest Fire Protection Commission and be part of cooperative planning to address the dangers of forest fires with our neighboring states and provinces. As Rhode Islanders experienced in 2023 when our skies were filled with smoke from fires burning in Canada, fires affect us all, and they do not stop at borders,” said Representative Cotter (D-Dist. 39, Exeter, Richmond, Hopkinton).
“I’m very interested in
meeting and collaborating with the leaders who do this work around the region,
and look forward to learning what other states are doing that might help our
efforts to strengthen forest management and fire prevention and protection in
Rhode Island.”
Forest fire prevention and planning has been a primary focus for Representative Cotter since she was first elected in 2022. In 2023 and 2024, she sponsored and then chaired a legislative commission to help the state determine the best action for improving forest management.
Her leadership and advocacy helped add funding in the 2025 state budget for
additional forest rangers at
DEM, and led to the addition of land conservation funding
to the “green bond” approved by voters in November 2024.
