Important Wildfire Legislation Passes House

In addition to passing the Nutrition title of the Farm Bill last Thursday the U.S. House of Representative also passed legislation that will improve federal forest management to prevent catastrophic wildfire and support rural economies. The Restoring Healthy Forests for Healthy Communities Act, H.R. 1526, passed with resounding support.

Oregon Congressman Greg Walden says this bill

Walden: "Returns more active management to our federal forest lands. This proposal has been crafted with input by federal foresters, industry representatives and most importantly the residents of these local communities that are living in poverty subjected to choking, catastrophic and sometimes deadly wildfires."

He shares the challenges the bill will face

Walden: "We got word that the White House had issued a veto threat on this urgently needed and balanced bill. The president and his team clearly have no idea -- none -- on what is happening in our rural communities with federal forrest land surrounding them in the West. Counties are literally going broke. Folks are facing double digit unemployment and double digit poverty. Citizens call 911 for emergency help and are told literally, 'Sorry, we can't help you. There is no one to send.' And fires are raging throughout our forests. Enough is enough - this system is broken and this law will change that and fix that. The White House needs to understand that and be a partner for progress -- not an enemy of it."