2025: Fitzpatrick Voted To Identify Fire-Prone Forests, To Establish
An Inter-Agency Fireshed Center] And To Reduce Wildfire Risks. In
January 2025, Fitzpatrick voted for , according to Congressional
Quarterly, "the bill, as amended, that would provide for identification
of areas that are at high risk for wildfires and expedite hazardous fuel
reduction activities in those areas. The measure would grant permanent
authority to conduct emergency actions in those designated areas and
expand categorical exemptions from environmental reviews for fireshed
management activities, as well as limiting legal liability which could
hamper government action. The bill would require the U.S. Forest Service
and the Interior Department to establish an interagency fireshed center,
which would bring together stakeholders to maintain the Forest Service's
fireshed registry of wildfire risks nationwide, make decisions on land
and fuel reduction management activities and promote coordination and
the sharing of data with state and local governments and the private
sector. The measure also would establish several initiatives to restore
white oak trees and forests and provide for various studies and
evaluations, including on the effectiveness of Forest Service wildland
firefighting operations and on whether a new federal agency should be
established for fighting wildfires on federal lands. As amended, the
bill would authorize the Forest Service to approve the removal of
hazardous trees or other vegetation near power lines on federal land
without requiring a timber sale if certain requirements are met." The
House passed the bill by a vote of 279 to 141. [House Vote 25,
1/23/25; Congressional
Quarterly, 1/23/25;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
471]