Rep. Neguse Urges the Prioritization of Wildfire Mitigation in the White River National, Arapaho, and Roosevelt National Forests
The requested funds would be allocated in part with the enactment of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
Washington, D.C. — Today, Congressman Joe Neguse wrote to United States Forest Service Regional Forester Frank Beum requesting the department give priority consideration to wildfire mitigation in the White River National Forest and the western portion of the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests, throughout the implementation of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
These high-elevation forests are uniquely susceptible to wildfires and are also home to the headwaters of the Colorado River, the most heavily traveled east-west interstate highway in Colorado, and to some of the most-visited recreational resources in the country, increasing wildfire resiliency in these regions is vitally important to the state.
“As you move forward in this work, in partnership with the State of Colorado through its 2020 Forest Action Plan, I respectfully request that you also give high priority consideration to wildfire mitigation in the White River National Forest and the western portion of the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests, in recognition of their critical economic, ecological, and social importance.” wrote Congressman Neguse.
The letter continued:“It is imperative that we allocate sufficient resources to reduce wildfire risk in this vital watershed and transportation corridor, in addition to the other priority areas identified.”
Read the letter HERE.
Representative Neguse, the Co-Chair of the Bipartisan Wildfire Caucus, has emerged as a leader amongst his colleagues in the fight for increased federal support for communities recovering from fires. Most recently, the Colorado Congressman secured the passage of his Wildfire Response and Drought Resiliency Act, H.R. 5118, through the House. This monumental legislative package would significantly increase investments to tackle wildfires, boost wildland firefighter pay, and fund resiliency and mitigation projects for communities impacted by recent climate-induced disasters.
Background
Neguse played a key role in the swift passage and enactment of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, a historic piece of legislation that invests in the economy, rebuilds crumbling roads and bridges, and ensures American communities can compete in the 21st Century. Thanks to the advocacy and leadership of Congressman Neguse, the bill also includes several other wildfire response initiatives including funds for wildfire prevention, a pay raise for federal wildland firefighters, and investments in collaborative forest programs, such as the Joint Chiefs Landscape Restoration Partnership.
The state of Colorado is already set to receive the following in federal funding from the historic law:
- $3.7 billion for highway projects, $716 million in FY 2022;
- $100 million for I-70, Mountain Corridor improvement projects;
- $225 million for bridge replacement and repairs, $45 million in FY 2022;
- $917 million to improve public transportation, $54 million in FY 2022;
- $688 million for water infrastructure,
- $432 million for airports,
- $35 million for wildfire recovery, including $ 20 billion for the Colorado State University Forest Restoration Research;
- $57 million to support the expansion of an electric vehicle charging network throughout the state, $8 million in FY 2022; and
- A minimum of $100 million to help provide broadband coverage across the state.
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