This week, House Committee on Natural Resources Ranking Member Bruce Westerman (R-Ark) completed a tour of federal lands and resources in Nevada and California. U.S. Reps. Mark Amodei (R-Nev.), Ken Calvert (R-Calif.) and Young Kim (R-Calif.) joined Westerman for visits in their home districts.

"From addressing deferred maintenance on federal land to enabling proper wildfire management and tackling permitting challenges, the policies we implement in D.C. should enrich local communities and allow them to prosper," Westerman said. "I was grateful to join my colleagues in their districts this week to hear firsthand from local and state officials, tribal communities and community leaders about the kinds of commonsense solutions Congress should be implementing to address the issues local communities face daily. I'm proud to work alongside members of Congress like Representatives Amodei, Calvert and Kim to fight for practical policies that give Americans the ability to thrive."

“I would like to thank Congressman Westerman and his staff for taking the time to meet with my constituents and witness firsthand the challenges, perspectives and successes that are unique to Nevada’s natural resource managers and stakeholders," Amodei said." We were able to have meaningful dialogue on topics ranging from endangered species, to mining permitting, fuels management and fire mitigation efforts, to the Navy’s proposed Fallon Range expansion, and I look forward to continuing to work with Congressman Westerman to address each of these through the legislative process.”

“I appreciate Rep. Westerman coming to my district and getting a firsthand assessment of the federal natural resource issues impacting my constituents,” said Calvert. “Riverside County and California have unique challenges when it comes to our water supply, resource conservation, and addressing the infrastructure demands that come with growth. We also have tremendous opportunities, like the Cleveland National Forest, which we need to take advantage of by expanding recreational opportunities and access.”

“Wildfires threaten the health and safety of our Southern California communities. That is why hearing firsthand from those battling wildfires on the front lines at all levels is critical to inform our work in Congress,” Kim said. “Ranking Member Westerman is a leader in improving management of federal lands, and I thank him for joining me to visit with local, state and federal first responders, from fire departments to our U.S. Forest Service, and tour disaster-prone areas in my community. I look forward to working with him and my colleagues to make our communities more resilient and ensure our first responders have the resources they need.”

Background

Westerman's stops in Nevada included a meeting with federal and state land management agencies, a visit to forest management projects near the Caldor Fire Burn Area and a meeting to discuss the Navy's Fallon Range Training Complex Modernization proposal and the Northern Nevada Lands Package.

After arriving in California, the members toured the Cleveland National Forest, hosted a roundtable on permitting challenges to infrastructure development, held a meeting with the Morongo Band of Mission Indians tribe, toured wildfire and mudslide areas of concern surrounding North Orange County and hosted a roundtable with local fire chiefs.