Summary
The Fix Our Forests Act aims to address the growing threat of catastrophic wildfires by accelerating the pace of forest restoration and management. It proposes to simplify environmental review processes under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) for specific projects, such as thinning overgrown forests and removing hazardous trees near power lines. The bill also seeks to limit legal delays by establishing new standards for judicial review of forest management decisions, intended to prevent long-term litigation from stalling wildfire prevention efforts.
Beyond regulatory changes, the legislation proposes creating a Fireshed Center to improve interagency coordination and use advanced technology to identify high-risk areas. It also includes provisions to support the wildland firefighter workforce by making temporary pay increases permanent and improving benefits. Additionally, the bill aims to bolster reforestation efforts by increasing nursery capacity and native seed collection, while encouraging the development of new markets for wood products removed during forest thinning.
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Lifecycle of the Bill
Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Subcommittee on Conservation, Forestry, Natural Resources, and Biotechnology. Hearings held. With printed Hearing: S.Hrg. 119-27.
Mar 6, 2025
HearingSenateMeeting
Mar 6, 2025 · 16:00
Hearings to examine options to reduce catastrophic wildfire, including H.R.471, to expedite under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 and improve forest management activities on National Forest System lands, on public lands under the jurisdiction of the Bureau of Land Management, and on Tribal lands to return resilience to overgrown, fire-prone forested lands.
Summary
The Senate Subcommittee on Conservation, Forestry, Natural Resources, and Biotechnology held a hearing on March 6, 2025, to examine H.R. 471, the Fix Our Forests Act. The bill, which passed the House in January 2025 with bipartisan support, aims to improve forest management on National Forest System lands, Bureau of Land Management lands, and tribal lands to address catastrophic wildfires. The legislation establishes fireshed management areas, creates an interagency Fireshed Center to assess fire risks, expedites environmental reviews under the National Environmental Policy Act, and includes litigation reforms to accelerate forest management projects. Witnesses at the hearing included representatives from Megafire Action, the National Association of Forest Service Retirees, the Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians, Gunnison County Colorado, and the American Property Casualty Insurance Association. The hearing reflected differing perspectives on the bill's approach. Supporters emphasized the need for active forest management to reduce wildfire risks and protect communities. However, some senators, including Senator Adam Schiff, raised concerns that the bill prioritizes timber harvesting over fire mitigation and questioned whether environmental review processes are the main barrier to forest management. The hearing examined the bill's provisions for reducing community wildfire risks, supporting forest restoration and stewardship activities, and assisting wildland firefighters. Key themes included the urgency of addressing overgrown, fire-prone forests and the need to streamline federal processes. The hearing does not guarantee the bill will advance; the Senate must still vote on whether to move the legislation forward.
Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Subcommittee on Conservation, Forestry, Natural Resources, and Biotechnology. Hearings held. With printed Hearing: S.Hrg. 119-27.
Mar 6, 2025
HearingSenateMeeting
Mar 6, 2025 · 16:00
Hearings to examine options to reduce catastrophic wildfire, including H.R.471, to expedite under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 and improve forest management activities on National Forest System lands, on public lands under the jurisdiction of the Bureau of Land Management, and on Tribal lands to return resilience to overgrown, fire-prone forested lands.
Summary
The Senate Subcommittee on Conservation, Forestry, Natural Resources, and Biotechnology held a hearing on March 6, 2025, to examine H.R. 471, the Fix Our Forests Act. The bill, which passed the House in January 2025 with bipartisan support, aims to improve forest management on National Forest System lands, Bureau of Land Management lands, and tribal lands to address catastrophic wildfires. The legislation establishes fireshed management areas, creates an interagency Fireshed Center to assess fire risks, expedites environmental reviews under the National Environmental Policy Act, and includes litigation reforms to accelerate forest management projects. Witnesses at the hearing included representatives from Megafire Action, the National Association of Forest Service Retirees, the Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians, Gunnison County Colorado, and the American Property Casualty Insurance Association. The hearing reflected differing perspectives on the bill's approach. Supporters emphasized the need for active forest management to reduce wildfire risks and protect communities. However, some senators, including Senator Adam Schiff, raised concerns that the bill prioritizes timber harvesting over fire mitigation and questioned whether environmental review processes are the main barrier to forest management. The hearing examined the bill's provisions for reducing community wildfire risks, supporting forest restoration and stewardship activities, and assisting wildland firefighters. Key themes included the urgency of addressing overgrown, fire-prone forests and the need to streamline federal processes. The hearing does not guarantee the bill will advance; the Senate must still vote on whether to move the legislation forward.
Congress
119th Congress
Introduced
Jan 16, 2025
