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New Law Will Expedite Thinning of National Forests Prone to Wildfires

Wildfire prevention legislation allowing forests to be thinned on up to 20 million acres of federal land was approved last week by both the House and Senate.

Based on President Bush’s “Healthy Forests” initiative, H.R. 1904 authorizes $760 million annually to clear debris, dry underbrush and diseased trees in certain areas of the national forests and lands administered by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM).

At least half of the funds must be used for thinning operations near populated areas.

The legislation eases rules for logging on public lands while providing safeguards to protect old-growth trees in forest thinning projects.

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The aim of the bill is to reduce catastrophic wildfire threats, restore forest ecosystems, protect the environment and create jobs in rural communities.

The measure — which will be signed into law shortly by President Bush — discourages environmentalists and others from challenging forest-thinning projects that the Forest Service and BLM believe are needed to prevent possible fires. Notably, the bill limits preliminary court injunctions against logging projects to 60 days.

To read the legislation, click here and enter H.R. 1904 in the box at the upper left.
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