Wildfire Response and Drought Resiliency Act Passes House

Strategic Insights -

Congressman Jim Costa released a statement after the House passed H.R. 5118, a legislative package aimed at enhancing forest management, improving wildfire prevention, and addressing the drought crisis in the West. The package, now known as the Wildfire Response and Drought Resiliency Act, is a comprehensive effort to address the devastating impact of climate change on California's communities. Costa, a member of the Natural Resources Committee, emphasized the need for a reliable water supply, improved wildfire prevention efforts, and the importance of using all available tools to manage California's water resources.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Wildfire Response and Drought Resiliency Act provides strategic investments to enhance drought resiliency, protect communities against wildfires, and strengthen recovery efforts.
  • The legislation addresses wildfire risks by establishing a minimum basic pay rate of approximately $20/hour for wildland firefighters, mental health leave, and hazard pay.
  • The bill authorizes a 10-year National Wildfire Response Plan, which will direct the Secretary of Agriculture to identify up to 20 large-scale forest restoration projects that are at least 100,000 acres each.
  • The legislation includes provisions for the use of Conservation and Youth Corps programs in achieving the goals of the 10-Year National Wildfire Plan and allows the Secretaries of Agriculture and Interior to waive matching fund requirements.
  • The Wildfire Response and Drought Resiliency Act authorizes $250 million for new water well construction in small, low-income communities to improve water supply reliability.
  • The legislation requires the Secretary of Agriculture to establish and maintain at least one interdisciplinary National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) strike team per region to assist with environmental reviews.
  • The bill reauthorizes the Bureau of Reclamation's Basin Study program and provides $50 million for a grant and technical assistance program to help public water systems establish and implement water efficiency incentives.

Statistics:

  • The Wildfire Response and Drought Resiliency Act authorizes a 10-year National Wildfire Response Plan that will direct the Secretary of Agriculture to identify up to 20 large-scale forest restoration projects that are at least 100,000 acres each.
  • The legislation provides a minimum basic pay rate of approximately $20/hour for wildland firefighters and mental health leave and hazard pay.
  • The bill authorizes $250 million for new water well construction in small, low-income communities.
  • The legislation provides $50 million for a grant and technical assistance program to help public water systems establish and implement water efficiency incentives.

Sources:

  • Costa, J. (2023). News Release: Congressman Costa Responds to House Passage of Wildfire Response and Drought Resiliency Act. Office of the MP Jim Costa.