(WASHINGTON, DC)  -  Today, US Representative Jo Ann Emerson (MO-08) voted in favor of a new initiative to restore forest and rangeland health and prevent catastrophic wildfires on public lands. The Healthy Forests Restoration Act (HR 1904), which passed the House (256-169), will expedite federal and local efforts to restore forest health through active land management efforts such as thinning of small trees and brush, and, where appropriate, prescribed burns.
      
Discussing today’s vote, Emerson commented “The 2002 fire season was one of the worst in American history, and claimed more than 7 million acres of land.  In Southern Missouri many people who live and work in and around areas like the Mark Twain National Forest are directly affected by the health of our forests. We must make every effort possible to ensure that our forests remain healthy and free of the dangers associated with forest fires.  The Healthy Forests Restoration Act will help us and our forest management professionals to more quickly address the deterioration of forests, overgrowth and rangeland health which causes so many of these severe fires.”

 

Over the years, advocates of forest health, like Emerson who cosponsored the legislation, have pushed for the use of sound science and preventative practices to secure forest health and prevent  fires. The issue was further highlighted in 2002, the second worst wildfire season in more than 50 years.  During the year 23 firefighters died battling major blazes, which burned in 15 states and destroyed 815 homes. Likewise, the fires left rural economies, which depend heavily on tourism, without much needed revenue.

 

Through the Healthy Forests Initiative, the Administration will work with Congress to streamline unnecessary, burdensome red tape that prevents timely and effective implementation of wildfire prevention and forest health projects on public lands. Delays of these projects can have devastating environmental and economic consequences when catastrophic fires strike.

# # #