Wyden bill would put billions into wildfire fuels reduction
"A historic global pandemic that's still raging at the start of wildfire season adds up to a prescription for major problems in the months ahead to public health and rural jobs in
His 21st Century Conservation Corps for Our Health and Our
Wyden said thinning projects that include logging of commercially valuable trees could be part of the work if they comply with environmental laws.
Thinning projects generally focus on brush and small-diameter trees while leaving behind large, fire-resilient trees. They typically cost more to carry out than they can generate in revenue, requiring government subsidies.
"We are always delighted when our federal representatives are concerned about the huge fuel load that exists in our mismanaged forests. Necessary funding and resources are a critical part of the management capabilities," she said of Wyden's proposed bill.
Roberts said the funding will complement and fulfill a previous executive order by President
Wyden's bill would also create a
"As
Bey said the funding would create workforce training and job opportunities for youths and adults in the
"This funding is a win-win for people and nature, and is essential for making our communities safer from wildfire risks that will only continue to grow," he said.
The bill would also create a
"However, COVID-19 could decimate many of the small businesses that make up the industry and cause long-term damage to our local rural economies," Wallstrom said. "This bill will support our public lands and the many communities and businesses that depend on them by supporting outfitters, critical forest resiliency and wildfire projects, and the backlog of trail and facility maintenance projects. It would provide critical short-term help and be a long-term win for the region. We strongly support this bill."
Wyden said small outfitter and guide businesses have generally been left out of federal aid that has gone to shore up companies across the country.
In April,
Meanwhile, research is showing smoke puts people at greater risk from the virus.
Smoke reduces the ability of virus-fighting cells to clear out invaders and increases the risk of serious complications, hospitalization and death from COVID-19, according to research in America,
Wildland firefighters could be especially hard hit because they work in conditions with heavy smoke and traditionally stay in crowded fire camps where the virus could spread. Officials and crews are taking steps to change training and work and camp conditions to reduce the threat.
Wyden's bill would also provide
An additional
The bill would provide
Water conservation and habitat improvement projects on farms would get a
While the fate of the bill is uncertain, Wyden helped win millions of dollars for
Wyden said he hopes
"I think it's going to be a very tough summer in the woods," he said.
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