Amid raging fires, House passes contentious forestry bill

The House on Thursday passed legislation that supporters say will improve how the nation manages its forests to prevent fires but opponents argue will undercut environmental safeguards.

The legislation passed in a 279-141 vote against the backdrop of devastating fires in the Los Angeles area.

The bill has met fierce opposition from environmental advocates.

Among its more contentious provisions are those that limit environmental reviews and shorten how long opponents of such activities have to sue.

Another provision protects ongoing industry activities like logging from being impeded if an impacted species is newly considered to be endangered.

It’s not totally clear whether the legislation would pass the Senate if the upper chamber takes it up, as at least seven Democratic votes would be needed to overcome a filibuster.

There have also been some discussions of tying "forestry management” to a bipartisan disaster aid push, but House Natural Resources Committee Chair and bill sponsor Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.) has said he doesn’t want the bill to be a condition for disaster aid.

Westerman has said he believes his bill will help in emergencies like what’s going on in Los Angeles.

“The bill ensures land managers do the work when the sky is blue, not when it’s orange, and fire is on the doorstep,” he said this week, according to a copy of his prepared remarks.

It designates high risk “fireshed” areas and directs fire management projects in those areas. It also creates a fund for firefighters who have been killed or injured while on duty.

But environmental groups faulted the bill for weakening protections.

“This is a bill dressed up as a wildfire prevention bill, but it's really just a Trojan horse for Republicans to fulfill this lifetime goal of weakening environmental laws and serving industry interest,” said Blaine Miller-McFeeley, a senior legislative representative with environment group Earthjustice.

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