Funding for Brush Removal in San Diego Advances

(Washington D.C.)- Acting on a request by Congressman Brian Bilbray, a House subcommittee has green-lighted a $1 million grant to the City of San Diego to help clear wildfire-fueling brush on city property.

The Homeland Security Subcommittee of the Appropriations Committee yesterday gave the go-ahead to the funding request. It must still be approved by the House of Representatives and the Senate.

“I saw first-hand the enormous devastation caused by last October’s firestorm, and we must do everything in our power to prevent this from ever happening again,” said Bilbray. “This fire showed us once again us that clearing brush around homes will greatly reduce the chance that they will be burned down. I am hopeful that the House and Senate will move quickly on this.”

The funds would be used to clear brush in city-owned parks, canyon areas, and other property near residential neighborhoods and commercial areas.  Ultimately, a 100-foot buffer of defensible space would be created on 1180 acres.  Among the city owned properties where brush would be cleared: Tecolote Canyon, San Clemente Canyon, Los Penasquitos Canyon and Crest Canyon.

San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders approached Congressman Bilbray following the October 2007 fires to seek his assistance in obtaining federal funding.  Congressman Bilbray is also working with local, state and federal officials to streamline the process for requesting federal air support during a major wildfire.
 

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