Today, the House passed H.R. 471, the Fix Our Forests Act, a strong bipartisan piece of legislation focused on improving forest management and reducing the threat of catastrophic wildfires. Congressman Doug LaMalfa (R-Richvale), released the following statement:
“I’m glad to see the House move swiftly to pass the Fix Our Forests Act. There is no time to waste on implementing measures to combat catastrophic wildfires. The Fix Our Forests Act is a big step toward properly maintaining our forests and reducing wildfire risk. I’m happy to support this critical legislation and hope to see it pass the Senate and become law soon,” said Rep. LaMalfa.
The Fix Our Forests Act streamlines the consultation process for the U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management, preventing environmental groups from stalling projects or forcing unnecessary revisions to management plans. Additionally, the act mandates clearer reporting on hazardous fuels reduction efforts, addressing prior misrepresentation by federal agencies regarding the number of acres treated. It also explores the establishment of a Western headquarters for the U.S. Forest Service.
The bill also incorporates Rep. LaMalfa’s language to expand the clearance zone for hazardous trees around electric power lines and directs the U.S. Forest Service to expand the use of livestock grazing in fuels management programs.
Congressman Doug LaMalfa is Chairman of the Congressional Western Caucus and a lifelong farmer representing California’s First Congressional District, including Butte, Colusa, Glenn, Lassen, Modoc, Shasta, Siskiyou, Sutter, Tehama and Yuba Counties.
