SW Arkansas Times

Today, House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Bruce Westerman and Congressman Scott Peters introduced the Fix Our Forests Act. This bipartisan legislation aims to restore forest health, increase resilience to wildfires, and protect vulnerable communities.

Chairman Westerman stated, "As Chairman of the House Natural Resources committee, I am proud of the work that is done within the committee to restore forest health, hold accountable those who insufficiently manage our forests, and create a better path forward for stewarding our land in a way that not only keeps the American people safe from the devastating effects of wildfires but safeguards our nation’s land for generations to come."

Westerman emphasized Arkansas's role as a top timber producer and his commitment as a licensed forester to craft beneficial legislation for Arkansas's forestry. He expressed pride in bipartisan support for the bill, noting its importance for improving forest management nationwide.

Congressman Peters highlighted recent wildfire damage in California as evidence of the urgent need for better forest management practices. He stressed that Congress must act to assist communities prone to wildfires by preventing these disasters and providing aid for recovery.

Further details on the Fix Our Forests Act are available.