California Democrats rejected a Republican proposal to add $1 billion for wildfire prevention to a $2. 5 billion wildfire recovery bill during a procedural vote. In Washington, D. C. , a bipartisan bill to simplify environmental reviews for forest management was passed by Congress.
California State Assembly Republican Leader James Gallagher argued that the funding would be essential for fuel reduction projects, highlighting that the state has spent significantly more on homelessness than on fire prevention in recent years. Gallagher stated that $1 billion could help treat one million acres of high-risk forest, which is linked to the state’s 15 million acres at risk. He criticized the state and federal government for not meeting their prior goals of treating these areas.
In contrast, in Congress, a bill led by California Democratic Congressman Scott Peters and Arkansas Republican Bruce Westerman advanced. The legislation aims to reduce delays in forest management activities like controlled burns by exempting them from certain environmental review processes, which can take years. Peters emphasized that improved policy changes could help manage fire risks better and protect homes near forests.
https://www.thecentersquare.com/california/article_41661f3e-d9d5-11ef-9d96-0fc13a0b17c9.html
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