Comment on FR Doc # 2012-17623

To whom this may concern, I have been a seasonal government employee for the better part of the last ten years. Mainly, I have worked for the Department of Agriculture Forest Service in California and Utah as a dry stone mason/trail construction expert. Though I am not currently an employee, I still work supporting the management of federal lands through the Non Profit partnership side and most of my friends are still seasonal employees. I cannot express how happy I am to hear that seasonal firefighters may be eligible for heath benefits. I truly believe it is an important step forward. My concern is that all seasonal employees are not included. I understand the issues of additional costs, but I have seen so many highly skilled people leave the Forest Service looking for an employer who offers benefits. The Forest Service needs to retain highly skilled people to be more efficient. I believe by offering benefits to all seasonal employees the Government will find its work force more skilled and efficient. It is important to me that the Government take responsibility for the people that it relies on to accomplish its goals and offer all seasonal employees health benefits. Thank you for your time and effort, Chad Brotherton