The bipartisan sponsors of the Fix Our Forest Act are calling for swift adoption of the measure, which aims to begin thinning at-risk forests immediately. The bill, co-sponsored by Rep. Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.) and Rep. Scott Peterson (D-Calif.), was approved by the House Natural Resources Committee and will now move to the House floor for consideration.
The bill, known as H.R. 8790, seeks to expedite environmental reviews, reduce delays caused by lawsuits, and use fireshed mapping to identify areas most vulnerable to wildfires. It aims to address the increasing frequency and severity of wildfires in the United States, which have caused billions of dollars in damages and claimed lives.
The legislation would provide federal land managers with tools for forest restoration treatments, streamline reviews under the National Environmental Policy Act, and prioritize high-risk forests for mitigation efforts. It also includes provisions to reduce litigation, enhance wildfire resilience research, and expedite tree clearance near power lines.
While the bill does not specify funding allocations, it redirects approximately $2.5 billion from the federal wildfire budget to support these new programs. With bipartisan support and urgency due to the imminent wildfire season, the sponsors are urging quick action to pass the bill and implement its provisions to protect communities and landscapes from the devastating impact of wildfires.
Katie Porter (R-Calif.) introduced an amendment to remove the bill’s language that would restrict injunctive relief and hinder access to judicial review.
“Only a small fraction of National Environmental Policy Act reviews end up in court,” she noted, urging for the amendment to be passed “without diminishing the legal rights of the public and our constituents.”
The amendments were voted down in 19-14 decisions.
