GOP Senate Western Caucus members seek forest wildfire reforms in 2018 Farm Bill

Republican members on the Senate Western Caucus urged 2018 Farm Bill conferees to ensure their bill’s forest management reforms address the devastating wildfires that continue to ravage the western U.S.

“Wildfires have consumed more than six million acres thus far this year, which is substantially above the historical average for the same time period,” according to the 13 GOP lawmakers in a Sept. 5 letter sent to U.S. Senate and House conference committee leaders.

“We urge you to include much-needed reforms to restore active forest management nationwide and reduce the risk and severity of catastrophic wildfires,” the senators wrote.

The letter was signed by U.S. Sen. Steve Daines (R-MT), chairman of the Senate Western Caucus, and caucus members U.S. Sens. Cory Gardner (R-CO), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), John Barrasso (R-WY), Mike Lee (R-UT), Mike Enzi (R-WY), Mike Crapo (R-ID), Jim Risch (R-ID), Mike Rounds (R-SD), Orrin Hatch (R-UT), John Thune (R-SD), Dan Sullivan (R-AK), and Dean Heller (R-NV).

The members acknowledged that recent reforms included in appropriations legislation “were good steps.” However, they called on Congress to “take additional actions in the Farm Bill to create healthier, more resilient forests” across the United States.

Wildfires have negatively impacted the quality of air and water, fish and wildlife habitats, and the nation’s outdoor and tourism economies, the senators pointed out.

“In addition, more than one thousand homes and structures have been destroyed,” they wrote. “Worst of all, six firefighters and at least six other individuals have lost their lives due to these wildfires. The negative consequences of catastrophic wildfires are widespread and heartbreaking.”

The caucus members specifically requested that conferees include a robust forestry title in the Farm Bill conference report “that cuts unnecessary red tape, addresses the challenges of chronic litigation, and further empowers state and local collaborative partners to help develop and carry out science-based forest management projects.”

The senators want several policies included under this title, such as allowing current and new Healthy Forests Restoration Act authorities to be used; speeding up post-fire restoration and reforestation projects; and establishing a new categorical exclusion for projects that restore watersheds and protect water quality, among other provisions.

Such reforms, the caucus members noted in their letter, have garnered support from more than 20 wildlife and sportsmen groups, which also sent an Aug. 31 letter to House and Senate Farm Bill conferees with related suggestions for them to consider including in the Farm Bill.

Among the 24 groups signing the letter were the National Rifle Association, National Shooting Sports Foundation, the Archery Trade Association, Bear Trust International, the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation, Conservation Force, the Council to Advance Hunting and Shooting Sports, the Mule Deer Foundation, the National Association of Forest Service Retirees, and the Wildlife Management Institute.

“Importantly,” the senators concluded in their letter, “these reforms would not erode public input. In reality, they would safeguard it by ensuring that consensus-driven decisions of the majority are not obstructed by isolated dissenters.”