The spending bill Congress is considering includes a major, bipartisan effort to overhaul how the U.S. government spends money to fight wildfires on federal land. The provision in the omnibus appropriations bill, released publicly late Wednesday, is meant to cut down on a practice known as “fire borrowing” in which agencies like the Forest Service and Bureau […]
Continue ReadingWildfire bill passes; more hurdles ahead Marc Heller, E&E News reporter Published: Thursday, November 2, 2017 The House yesterday passed legislation encouraging more logging on national forests as a way to curtail wildfires, and supporters said they hope at least some of its provisions are enacted into law this year. The “Resilient […]
Continue ReadingWildfire legislation’s NEPA provisions generate divisions Marc Heller, E&E News reporter Published: Thursday, October 26, 2017 Senate Environment and Public Works Chairman John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) led a hearing on combating wildfires yesterday. Environment and Public Works Committee Congress risks stirring old political battles by trying to scale back environmental rules in the fight against wildfires, Sen. […]
Continue ReadingFORESTS: Agriculture panel to vote on wildfire legislation Source: Energy & Environment Daily Published: Monday, September 12, 2016 The Senate Agriculture Committee will take up wildfire legislation this week, as a disagreement over committee jurisdiction on the issue continues to play out. The Agriculture panel will vote on a measure from Chairman Pat Roberts (R-Kan.), the […]
Continue ReadingWith USA Today reporting that there have already been 4,200 fires throughout the state of California this year, it comes as little surprise that, according to Southern California Public Radio, Cal Fire has already spent 40 percent of its firefighting budget for the year – a budget that was expanded to $165 million in anticipation […]
Continue ReadingWILDFIRE: No budget overhaul, but ‘borrowing’ likely averted in 2016 Phil Taylor, E&E reporter Published: Thursday, December 17, 2015 While Congress’s fiscal 2016 spending package provides no long-term funding overhauls for wildfire, it does provide a one-time boost in suppression cash to prevent the disruptive practice of “fire borrowing.” The package would provide $2.1 billion for […]
Continue ReadingAPPROPRIATIONS: Deal to reform wildfire budget, hasten logging gains momentum Phil Taylor, E&E reporter Published: Friday, December 11, 2015 A pending deal to reform the nation’s wildfire spending and expedite logging on national forests is picking up momentum as a potential tag-along to the 2016 omnibus spending package, according to multiple sources close to Capitol […]
Continue ReadingRepublicans rebuff Obama’s wildfire plan, press for action on House bill By Kevin Rogers, Energy Guardian Republican lawmakers on Wednesday rejected an Obama administration appeal to change the federal wildfire funding system, saying it failed to improve effective forest management. Instead, they pressed for Senate action on a House-passed bill that the White House “strongly […]
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