House Committee on Natural Resources Advances Forest Management and Wildfire Prevention Legislation

Strategic Insights -

The U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Natural Resources has made significant progress in addressing forest management and wildfire prevention by marking up 14 bills, including legislation aimed at actively suppressing wildfires and advancing President Trump's Executive Orders on the matter. The bills focus on improving forest management, increasing fire preparedness, and protecting communities and public lands. Committee Chairman Bruce Westerman emphasized the importance of responding to the devastating effects of wildfires, such as the Dragon Bravo Fire, which destroyed irreplaceable treasures at the Grand Canyon.

Key Takeaways:

  • H.R. 178, the Put Out The Fire Act, would direct the U.S. Forest Service and the Department of the Interior to immediately suppress wildfires on lands under specific drought conditions or at high risk of wildfire, advancing President Trump's EO 14308, "Empowering Commonsense Wildfire Prevention and Response."
  • H.R. 179, the Proven Forest Management Act of 2025, would make an existing categorical exclusion available throughout the National Forest System and on public lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), helping to advance President Trump's EO 14308.
  • H.R. 839, the No Federal Expansion Designation in West Texas Act, would prohibit the implementation, administration, and enforcement of the finalized land management plan for the Muleshoe National Wildlife Refuge, which includes a 100-fold expansion of the refuge as part of the 30x30 Initiative.
  • H.R. 1045, the Utah Wildfire Research Institute Act of 2025, would establish a wildfire research institute in Utah to advance scientific research in wildfire prevention and study innovative solutions to mitigate wildfire risks, helping to advance President Trump's EO 14308.
  • H.R. 1276, introduced by U.S. Rep. James Comer (R-Ky.), removes National Park Service restrictions on recreational land used by the Oscar Cross Boys & Girls Club, allowing the club to advance its renovation plans and serve future generations of youth.
  • H.R. 2294, reauthorizes the Integrated Ocean Observing System, a public-private partnership of coastal observation systems collecting data to inform decision-making along the nation's coasts and in marine waters.
  • H.R. 2302, the Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians Land Transfer Act of 2025, places 85 acres of BLM land and 118 acres of fee simple land owned by the Tribe into trust for the Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians.
  • H.R. 2400, the Pit River Land Transfer Act of 2025, places 584 acres of land owned by the USFS, known as the "Four Corners," and 40 acres of fee land into trust for the Pit River Tribe.
  • H.R. 3620, the Southcentral Foundation Land Transfer Act of 2025, conveys federal property to the Southcentral Foundation in Anchorage, Alaska, to support its healthcare services.
  • H.R. 3857, the Snow Water Supply Forecasting Reauthorization Act of 2025, reauthorizes the Bureau of Reclamation's Snow Water Supply Forecasting Program, empowering water managers with new technologies to conduct snow monitoring and water supply forecasting.
  • H.R. 4285, the Semiquincentennial Tourism and Access to Recreation Sites (STARS) Act, designates September 17, 2026, as a fee-free day at National Park System units to celebrate the 250th anniversary of America's independence.
  • H.R. 345, the Fire Department Repayment Act of 2025, would require the Secretaries of Agriculture, the Interior, Homeland Security, and Defense to establish standard operating procedures for payment timelines of fire suppression cost-sharing agreements.
  • H.R. 528, the Post-Disaster Reforestation and Restoration Act of 2025, requires federal land management agencies to carry out priority reforestation projects with non-federal partners following wildfires and other natural disasters.
  • H.R. 2290, the World War II Women's Memorial Location Act, would authorize the location of the World War II women's memorial on or near the National Mall, honoring over 18 million women who served the war effort.

Statistics:

  • 14 bills marked up by the House Committee on Natural Resources, addressing forest management and wildfire prevention.
  • H.R. 178 directs the U.S. Forest Service and the Department of the Interior to immediately suppress wildfires on lands under specific drought conditions or at high risk of wildfire.
  • 100-fold expansion of the Muleshoe National Wildlife Refuge as part of the 30x30 Initiative.
  • H.R. 1045 would establish a wildfire research institute in Utah to advance scientific research in wildfire prevention.
  • 85 acres of BLM land and 118 acres of fee simple land owned by the Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians to be placed into trust.
  • 584 acres of land owned by the USFS, known as the "Four Corners," and 40 acres of fee land to be placed into trust for the Pit River Tribe.

Sources:

  • House Committee on Natural Resources press release
  • Chairman Bruce Westerman's statement
  • H.R. 178 (Put Out The Fire Act)
  • H.R. 179 (Proven Forest Management Act of 2025)
  • H.R. 839 (No Federal Expansion Designation in West Texas Act)
  • H.R. 1045 (Utah Wildfire Research Institute Act of 2025)
  • H.R. 1276 (introduced by U.S. Rep. James Comer)
  • H.R. 2294 (reauthorizes the Integrated Ocean Observing System)
  • H.R. 2302 (Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians Land Transfer Act of 2025)
  • H.R. 2400 (Pit River Land Transfer Act of 2025)
  • H.R. 3620 (Southcentral Foundation Land Transfer Act of 2025)
  • H.R. 3857 (Snow Water Supply Forecasting Reauthorization Act of 2025)
  • H.R. 4285 (Semiquincentennial Tourism and Access to Recreation Sites (STARS) Act)
  • H.R. 345 (Fire Department Repayment Act of 2025)
  • H.R. 528 (Post-Disaster Reforestation and Restoration Act of 2025)
  • H.R. 2290 (World War II Women's Memorial Location Act)