Press Releases

   
Rep. Paul Gosar Calls For Swift Action on Wildfire Bill

Natural Resources Committee holds hearing on legislation that aims to reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfires 

Today, the Natural Resources Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands, held a hearing examining important legislation sponsored by Congressman Paul Gosar (R-AZ). The bill, the Catastrophic Wildfire Prevention Act of 2013 (H.R. 1345), is a forest health bill that seeks to reduce government bureaucracy so that wildfire prevention projects can move forward quickly when the public is at risk.

Congressman Paul Gosar (R-AZ) issued the following statement: “We know wildfire season is coming, so why not prepare for it? Every summer tens of thousands of acres of federal forest land needlessly burn. We lose timber, habitat and animals. Current federal policies do nothing to stop this problem. My bill will change that. Let’s address our forest mismanagement now and pass my wildfire bill so we can mitigate the tragic consequences of catastrophic wildfires.”

Video of Congressman Gosar's full opening statement can be found HERE or below.

At the hearing, Arizona leaders testified on the importance of the Catastrophic Wildfire Prevention Act of 2013 in protecting local communities and improving forest health.

Andy Groseta – Cottonwood, AZ – President, Arizona Cattle Growers’ Association

“It has become all too clear from the millions of charred acres across the west that the planning process currently in use by the federal agencies is woefully broken.  Planning, studying, consulting, litigating, appealing then planning and studying more for months and even years on end is not working and must be changed.  We urge the committee to advance the Catastrophic Wildfire Prevention Act of 2013 without delay, to enact commonsense solutions to reduce the threat of wildfire on public lands.  H.R. 1345 will provide tools the agencies need to effectively manage the Nation’s forests.”

Tommie Martin – Payson, AZ – District 1 Supervisor and Vice Chair, Gila County, AZ

“Our ability to maintain a robust and diverse economy in Gila County has been eroded over the last forty years, in large part due to the restriction of access to resources on the federal lands.  Because of this, the once vibrant logging and ranching industries in Gila County are now nearly extinct.  Representative Gosar’s bipartisan bill addresses many issues of great importance to Gila County and I strongly support it. The West is in crisis, and there are only signs of it getting worse.  Federal land management policies must change direction immediately.  We have no time to waste.” 

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