September 24, 2024 – Congresswoman Lori Chavez-DeRemer: House Passes Chavez-DeRemer-Backed Bill to Restore Forest Health, Improve Wildfire Resiliency
Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Fix Our Forests Act (H.R. 8790) with bipartisan support. The proposal, cosponsored by Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer (OR-05), seeks to restore forest health, improve wildfire resiliency, and protect communities by increasing the pace and scale of forest restoration projects. This bill passed as Oregon is experiencing its most devastating wildfire season in recorded history.
“This wildfire season in Oregon has been tragic and devastating. So far this year, over 1.9 million acres have been scorched. That’s more than double the state’s 10-year average. Costing more than $250 million, the Oregon Department of Forestry has stated this is the most expensive wildfire season in our state’s history,” Chavez-DeRemer said. “It’s clear that more needs to be done to prevent another record-breaking wildfire season from occurring. That’s why I’m proud to support the bipartisan Fix Our Forests Act. It’s a comprehensive proposal that would improve forest management in areas at the highest risk for wildfires by using advanced science and technology. Providing needed resources to those affected, and working to prevent wildfires from starting in the first place, will continue to be top priorities.”
The Fix Our Forests Act would:
- Simplify and expedite environmental reviews for forest management projects;
- Promote federal, state, tribal, and local collaboration;
- Deter frivolous litigation that delays essential projects;
- Create a framework for prioritizing treatments in forests at the highest risk of wildfire;
- 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; and
- Strengthen tools like Good Neighbor Authority and Stewardship Contracting.
A section-by-section analysis by the Natural Resources Committee is available HERE. A one-page summary is available HERE. Full text of the bill is available HERE.
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