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Press Releases
Herrera Beutler Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Improve Forest Health, Mitigate Wildfires
Washington,
July 22, 2021
Today, Congresswoman Jaime Herrera Beutler (WA-03) helped introduce the Resilient Federal Forests Act, bipartisan legislation aimed at curbing the threat of wildfires. Through speeding up essential forest management projects by ending frivolous litigation, accelerating reviews for removing dangerous hazard trees, and giving the U.S. Forest Service the tools to restore watersheds and improve wildlife habitat, this solution would boost forest health and reduce the conditions for devastating fires. House Committee on Natural Resources Ranking Member Rep. Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.), the only professional forester currently serving in Congress, is the bill’s lead sponsor and is joined by Republican and Democrat cosponsors. “Our Southwest Washington communities know the great threat that fire- and disease-prone forests pose, which underscores the dire need for more active forest management to help reduce the threat of catastrophic wildfires,” Herrera Beutler said. “The lack of active management on the part of the federal government has resulted in abundant brush and decaying and dead trees that act as overgrown kindling, contributing to the disastrous wildfires that have taken lives, destroyed homes and businesses, and decimated our beautiful forests. I’m helping introduce this legislation to help us have cleaner air and water, keep our communities safe from the ravages of wildfire and protect our precious forests and species throughout the Pacific Northwest.” Background More than 80 million acres of national forests are overgrown, fire-prone, and in dire need of active management. The Resilient Federal Forests Act restores forest health, increases resiliency to wildfire, and supports the economic revitalization of rural communities. Key provisions of the bill include:
Read the full bill here. |