Reps. Neguse and Zinke Introduce Bipartisan Effort to Expand Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration
Washington, D.C. — This week, Congressman Joe Neguse, Ranking Member of the House Subcommittee on Federal Lands, joined forces with Montana Congressman Ryan Zinke to introduce the bipartisan Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration Program (CFLRP) Reauthorization Act of 2025. The bill would reauthorize and expand CFLRP, a highly successful U.S. Forest Service program that supports collaborative and community-based forest management to improve forest health, reduce wildfire risk, and support rural and mountain communities.
The legislation, which is also co-led by Representatives Andrea Salinas (OR-06) and Kim Schrier, M.D. (WA-08), would extend CFLRP for another ten years, increasing the size and scope of the Collaborative to reduce wildfire risk and make other program improvements. Since it was first authorized in 2009, CFLRP projects have restored 5.7 million acres of forestland, and helped improve 1,000 miles of trails and maintain 25,000 miles of roads.
“In Colorado and across the Rocky Mountain West, we know that protecting our forests and lands benefits our communities,” said Congressman Neguse. “The Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration Program is a successful partnership program that bolsters community-based stewardship, supporting efforts to promote cooperative, science-based wildfire mitigation. I’m incredibly proud to lead my colleagues in the House to champion its reauthorization.”
“Every year hundreds of thousands of acres of forest burn to the ground destroying landscapes, watersheds and homes. We can’t prevent every fire, but we can certainly manage our forests, so they are in better health and more resilient against catastrophic fires,” said Congressman Zinke. “The Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration Program was a proven success that leverages public and private entities to grow more resilient forests. When a program works, we should extend it. Montana forests must be multi-use. Recreation, conservation, and resource development all have their place and must be part of the conversation, but none of them can exist if our forests are unhealthy or burning down. The continuation of this program will promote the collaboration needed preserve more of our forests for use by the communities around them.”
“All Washingtonians have seen firsthand that wildfires have become more frequent and severe in our state and throughout the West, a problem that will continue to be exacerbated by climate change,” said Congresswoman Schrier, M.D. “To protect our communities, we have to invest in improving forest health. Smart, sensible programs like the Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration (CFLR) program, have been shown to help reduce wildfire risk. That's why I'm proud to introduce this bipartisan, bicameral bill to strengthen our wildfire safety and reauthorize and expand the CFLR program.”
“Collaborative forest management leads to better outcomes for our forests and our communities. The Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration program has a proven track-record of success in reducing wildfire risk and improving forest health,” said Rep. Salinas. “By embracing the CFLRP model, we can advance critical projects and prevent them from being bogged down by bureaucracy. I am proud to join my colleagues in co-leading the effort to reauthorize this critical program, and I will continue working to advance responsible forest management practices.”
The bill is also being championed by Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Mike Crapo (R-ID) in the United States Senate and has support from Michael Bennet (D-CO), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Jim Risch (R-ID), and Steve Daines (R-MT).
“When people come together to develop collaborative plans to manage our forests, we can thin overgrown forests, strengthen our timber stands, support diverse ecosystems, increase fire resilience, and boost workforce development,” said Senator Merkley. “This is a proven, bipartisan model that delivers healthier forests and stronger communities instead of litigation and conflict. Investing more in collaborative solutions will make a real difference in rural communities across Oregon and beyond.”
“Shared, active forest management plays a vital role in reducing the risk of wildfires and fire suppression,” said Senator Crapo. “Ensuring long-term reauthorization of the CFLRP will promote Idaho’s forest health, encourage the responsible stewardship of our public lands and foster resilient, rural economies. Reauthorizing the CFLRP results in stronger relationships on the ground, more effective projects and a decreased risk of conflict and litigation.”
“Collaborative forest projects help create jobs throughout Colorado while restoring wildlife habitat and managing fuel for wildfires. In Colorado, they bring together people across local government, industry, and conservation advocacy to make our forests more resilient and help our communities adapt to a changing climate,” said Senator Bennet. “As a member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, I’ll work to expand this valuable program for Colorado in the upcoming Farm Bill.”
The CFLRP brings stakeholders from all walks of life together to create solutions aimed at reducing wildfire risk across the West. Requirements of this program ensure that various local stakeholders collaborate, resulting in stronger relationships on the ground, better, more effective projects, and a decreased risk of conflict and litigation. Learn more about the program’s active and past projects HERE.
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