Today, the Subcommittee on Federal Lands held a legislative hearing on seven bills that will improve forest management, enhance our ability to combat wildfires, protect national security, increase access and promote new research of emerging technologies. Subcommittee Chairman Tom Tiffany (R-Wis.) released the following statement in response:

"Republicans on the Federal Lands Subcommittee are committed to increasing the pace and scale of forest management to address the wildfire crisis responsibly and effectively. Active forest management will enhance forest health and boost local economies."

Background:

Discussion Draft of H.R. ___, the Biochar Innovations and Opportunities for Conservation, Health, and Advancements in Research (BIOCHAR) Act, introduced by House Committee on Natural Resources Chairman Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.), would create demonstration projects in each region of the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) and Bureau of Land Management to test biochar with an emphasis on using excess fuels from forest management activities as feedstock. It also directs the Secretary of the Interior to conduct research on biochar uses and its carbon sequestration potential. 

H.R. 4235, the Wildfire Technology DEMO Act, introduced by U.S. Rep. Young Kim (R-Calif.), would create a federal testbed pilot program to identify and adopt new and innovative wildfire prevention, detection, communication and mitigation technologies. This will allow federal agencies to test emerging technologies at scale to improve fire suppression. 

H.R. 4717, the Locally Led Restoration Act of 2023, introduced by U.S. Rep. Doug Lamborn (R-Colo.), would increase the pace of scale of responsible forest management, enhance salvage logging opportunities and encourage greater coordination with local communities.

H.R. 5582, the White Oak Resilience Act, introduced by U.S. Rep. Andy Barr (R-Ky.), would formalize the White Oak Initiative, create pilot programs for white oak regeneration and allow private funding to be utilized for white oak management and reforestation. White oaks are considered a keystone species that play a critical role in supporting healthy forest ecosystems and are also prized commercial trees, providing important wood products for furniture, flooring, and a multitude of other wood products.

H.R. 6070, introduced by U.S. Rep. Mark Amodei (R-Nev.), would clarify the Department of Defense's authorization to conduct certain military activities where the Nevada Test and Training Range overlaps with the Desert National Wildlife Refuge and help maintain its strategic worth as a fully operational facility. 

H.R. 4353, the Civilian Conservation Center Enhancement Act of 2023, introduced by U.S. Rep. Andrea Salinas (D-Ore.), would broaden the definition of Civilian Conservation Centers (CCCs) to include training facilities and then direct the USFS and Department of Interior (DOI) to provide specialized training in wildland firefighting, forestry and rangeland management at all CCCs.

H.R. 5665, the Promoting Accessibility on Federal Lands Act of 2023, introduced by U.S. Rep. Melanie Stansbury (D-N.M.), would require the USFS and DOI to conduct comprehensive assessments of trails, campsites, boat docks and outdoor recreation facilities on National Forest System lands and DOI-administered public lands.