[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 58 (Thursday, March 30, 2023)]
[House]
[Pages H1680-H1681]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      REFORMING FOREST MANAGEMENT

  (Mr. LaMALFA asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. LaMALFA. Madam Speaker, yesterday the House included two of my

[[Page H1681]]

amendments into H.R. 1. Both amendments are important fire prevention 
measures that make northern California and rural America safer.
  While we can't prevent the outbreak of every fire, we can certainly 
take steps to reduce the likelihood and severity of wildfire outbreaks.
  The first of the amendments was called the CARR Act, which would 
allow the Forest Service, National Park Service, and Bureau of Land 
Management to thin forests and manage vegetation within 300 feet of 
roadways along these Federal lands.
  This amendment is in response to the 2018 Carr fire, which happened 
near Redding, California. It spread rapidly due to overgrown vegetation 
near the road on Park Service land. Even the term ``firenado'' came 
from that fire.
  The second amendment, the CLEAR Zones Act, allows us to easily clear 
unhealthy or hazardous trees within 50 feet of power lines. It is 
especially important for my district, as several fires in the past, 
most notably the devastating 2018 Camp Fire which devoured Paradise, 
California, started near power lines--in these cases either by trees 
falling into power lines or by equipment that is faulty.
  Both of these amendments are prudent fire prevention measures that 
reduce the risk of fire outbreaks. They will help keep our air and 
water clean, our wildlife safe, and our forests green. This is good 
reform to help keep our forests as we would see them.

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