Today, the House Committee on Natural Resources held a full committee markup and favorably reported the Fix Our Forests Act. Committee Chairman Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.) issued the following statement in response:

"America’s forests are in desperate need of management, and it’s time to take immediate action. Onerous regulations and weaponization of environmental laws have turned our forests into ticking time bombs. Fortunately, the Fix Our Forests Act is a bipartisan solution that will apply the best possible science and empower America's land managers with the necessary tools to make our incredible forests healthier and more resilient for generations to come."

Background

The Fix Our Forests Act is a historic and comprehensive legislative package that will encourage active forest management and protect communities in the wildland-urban interface. The bill is a science-focused solution to the growing problems facing America’s federal forests. It will eliminate frivolous litigation and cut the burdensome red tape that has prevented land management agencies from using the tools at their disposal to manage our forests. 

The bill will:

• Promote federal, state, tribal and local collaboration
• Improve community resilience to wildfire and incentivize new research
• End frivolous and burdensome litigation that often delays critical forest management projects
• Apply state-of-the-art science and tools to treat forests at the highest risk of wildfire
• Encourage active management to protect powerlines and other critical infrastructure

To learn more, click here.