“Fix Our Forests Act” is Just Another Destructive Logging Bill in Disguise

In the wake of recent wildfires that have devastated numerous human communities, Representatives Bruce Westerman (R-AR) and Scott Peters (D-CA) have introduced the “Fix Our Forests Act.” The bill, touted as a solution to enhance forest health and protect towns from wildfires, in reality is a logging bill that would roll back bedrock environmental laws and would actually increase, not decrease, the threats to vulnerable communities.

A large and growing body of science, including many studies from Forest Service scientists, finds that logging conducted under the guise of “thinning” makes the forest microclimate hotter, drier, and windier, and actually exacerbates wildfire behavior. This puts communities at greater risk, as we saw tragically last week in Ruidoso, New Mexico, where the South Fork fire burned rapidly and very intensely through huge areas where the Forest Service had conducted “thinning” logging projects, and then burned down over 500 homes and claimed at least two lives. We saw similar tragic outcomes, after fires raced through huge “thinned” areas, in 2018 in Paradise, California, and in 2021 in Grizzly Flats, California. Even the Forest Service’s own scientists found that denser mature/old forests burn less intensely, not more. Over 200 U.S. scientists recently sent a letter to the Administration warning that “thinning” exacerbates wildfire behavior.

Instead of gutting environmental laws and fast-tracking logging projects, we should prioritize community-centered strategies proven to save homes and lives. Unlike backcountry logging, measures such as home hardening, creating defensible spaces and smoke centers, while improving evacuation routes and providing evacuation assistance are highly effective in protecting lives and property from wildfires. These initiatives empower communities and prioritize their well-being over expedient legislative solutions.

As concerned citizens, we must remain vigilant against legislative actions that exploit fear and urgency for political gain. The “Fix Our Forests Act” would not only degrade wildlife habitat and undermine our most important carbon sinks, it would increase the threat of wildfire to at-risk communities.

Key Concerns with the Legislation

1. Rollbacks on Environmental Protections: The bill weakens the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), removing essential scientific reviews and public accountability to favor extractive industries. This could lead to more extensive logging on federal lands without proper oversight, which would exacerbate wildfire risks.
2. Broad Definitions and Loopholes: The bill’s broad definition of “hazardous fuels management activities” allows nearly any logging to be justified as wildfire risk reduction. This could result in activities like clear-cut logging and targeting of mature and old-growth trees being mislabeled as fuel management.
3. NEPA Waivers and Environmental Harm: By waiving NEPA requirements for large fireshed management areas, the bill cuts out critical scientific and public input, leading to potentially inaccurate assessments. It encourages extensive logging, road construction, and other activities that harm forest health, water quality, and biodiversity.
4. Judicial Review and Accountability: The bill severely restricts judicial review, limiting citizens’ ability to hold agencies accountable. It imposes tight deadlines for legal challenges and restricts who can sue, undermining public engagement and legal recourse.
5. ESA Consultation Exemptions: Exempting the Forest Service and the BLM from reinitiating consultation under the ESA disregards new information about threats to endangered species. This could prevent necessary adaptations in land management to protect vulnerable species from climate change.

Specific Issues in the Bill

• Section 2: Redefines hazardous fuels management broadly, potentially justifying harmful logging practices.
• Title I, Subtitle A: Waives NEPA requirements for large fireshed areas, facilitating extensive logging without adequate review.
• Section 121: Limits judicial review and allows projects to proceed even if legally insufficient.
• Section 122 (“Cottonwood”): Exempts reinitiation of ESA consultation, risking further harm to endangered species.

Your voice is needed to protect our forests and communities! Please take action now to urge your Representative to oppose HR 8790, the ‘Fix Our Forests’ Act.