Senators Introduce Wildfire Prevention Legislation
The legislation will enhance forest management to more effectively mitigate the severity of catastrophic wildfires. The bill will also provide increased protections for wildlife habitat threatened by wildfires. On
"In the West, we know the widespread destruction wildfires can cause," said Barrasso. "Catastrophic fires have taken lives, destroyed homes, and devastated species. The bill we are introducing will make it simpler for local leaders to do fire-prevention projects. Forest managers need the flexibility to remove excess brush and dead wood that fuel these destructive wildfires. These fires have lasting impacts long after the flames have been put out. Our bill is a commonsense way to help protect both communities and wildlife."
"I'm thrilled to see continued progress with this important legislation. Wildfire continues to decimate Western communities, ruining sources of drinking water, destroying property, and even claiming lives," Hatch said. "I believe this proposal will strengthen the
"After nearly a quarter century of very-limited-to-hands-off forest management, federal forest fire suppression costs have continued to grow," said Thune. "We must take immediate steps to improve the health of our nation's forestland and be more aggressive and proactive in forest management. I believe this legislation offers several common-sense solutions that would help solve our problem of declining forest health by allowing land management professionals to use more 21st Century land management techniques. Efficient and effective land management makes forests more resilient and better able to withstand fire, pests, and diseases. This bill, which includes provisions I've previously introduced that would greatly expand categorical exclusions and measures to reduce litigation risk, is an important step in the right direction."
"We have had one of the most devastating fire seasons this year across the West and in
Specifically, the Wildfire Prevention and Mitigation Act of 2017 will:
* Statutorily reverse the
* Direct the
* Direct the
* Call for streamlined environmental review for ecosystem restoration projects by requiring the
* Establish or modify CEs for wildlife habitat improvement, forest thinning, and insect and disease infestation; and
* Establish a five-year pilot arbitration process to allow alternative dispute resolution for forest activities that will result in binding decisions not subject to judicial review.
To view full text of the legislation, click here (https://www.epw.senate.gov/public/_cache/files/7/d/7dfdb7ee-adbd-4d59-8806-ccfef586b632/3B2ECE2DABD6F0242B5CAF7B5A3E2ECA.wildfire-prevention-mitigation-act-of-2017-introduced-.pdf)
Background Information:
On
On
A broad group of stakeholders have voiced support for the Wildfire Prevention and Mitigation Act of 2017. Local leaders, conservationists, outdoor enthusiasts and others have outlined their support for the legislation.
Stakeholders who support the legislation include:
Wyoming Association of Conservation Districts
Associated California Loggers
Associated Logging Contractors of
Associated Oregon Loggers
Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation
Conservation Force
Court Brice, Curry County Commissioner
Delta Waterfowl
Healthy Forests, Healthy Communities
Oregon Women In Timber
Pheasants Forever
Professional Logging Contractors of
Quail Forever
Wildfire Forever
Wildlife
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