Today, House Committee on Natural Resources Chairman Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.) and U.S. Rep. Scott Peters (D-Calif.) re-introduced the Fix our Forests Act.

"As tragic wildfires rage in Los Angeles, we're working in Washington to help prevent these types of catastrophes in the future with the Fix Our Forests Act. It's time to take an all-hands-on-deck approach and use proven science to restore our forests to a healthy state and protect communities in the wildland-urban interface from wildfires. This legislation will leave our nation's forests more resilient and ensure they can be responsibly enjoyed and managed for generations to come." - House Committee on Natural Resources Chairman Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.).

"It is hard to describe the pain Californians feel over the loss suffered in Los Angeles. I am thinking constantly about the victims of this tragedy, as well as the first responders and military personnel working to quell the flames and keep order. The destruction and devastation in LA is a reminder of the incalculable human toll of these fires. While we can't stop every fire, smart changes to policy will help prevent fires, limit their spread, and make them less destructive. Our bill will help us protect where nature meets homes, pre-position firetrucks and other resources in high-risk areas, and build homes more resistant to fire. I remember the terror San Diegans felt in 2003, 2007, and 2011 when we had our own wildfire catastrophes. It is with the memory of those victims in mind, too, that I again introduced Fix Our Forests." - U.S. Rep. Scott Peters (D-Calif.).
 

Background

The Fix Our Forests Act is a historic and comprehensive package that will encourage active forest management and support community resiliency to wildfires by expediting environmental analyses, reducing frivolous lawsuits and increasing the pace and scale of forest restoration projects. 

The bill will:

• Simplify and expedite environmental reviews for forest management projects
• Make communities more resilient to wildfires by better coordinating existing grant programs and promoting new research
• Promote federal, state, tribal and local collaboration
• Deter frivolous litigation that delays essential projects
• Create a framework for prioritizing treatments in the forests at the highest risk of wildfire and near vulnerable communities
• Encourage the adoption of state-of-the-art science and techniques for federal land managers
• Encourage active management to improve the safety of powerlines and other infrastructure
• Strengthen tools like Good Neighbor Authority and Stewardship Contracting
• Support wildland firefighters and their families by ensuring continuity in casualty assistance programs

In September 2024, the Fix Our Forests Act passed the House of Representatives with overwhelming bipartisan support. House Majority leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) signaled he plans to bring this legislation back to the House floor next week.

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