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Tribes tell House subcommittee making ITARA permanent speeds wildfire response and restoration
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Summary
Cow Creek and other tribal witnesses urged passage of H.R. 5515 to permanently authorize ITARA demonstration authorities, saying tribes can deploy forest restoration and post‑fire rehabilitation far faster under ITARA than through conventional federal approvals.
WASHINGTON — Leaders from the Cow Creek Band and other tribal witnesses told the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Nov. 17 that making the Indian Trust Asset Reform Act (ITARA) authority permanent would protect recent gains in tribal forest management, wildfire resilience and ecosystem restoration.
Tim Breidenberg, director of forest management for the Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Indians, described operational results since entering ITARA’s demonstration project: the tribe built miles of fuel breaks, shortened project timelines from years to months and initiated immediate rehabilitation after wildfires. “These are not theoretical outcomes. They represent real benefits to the land and the community,” Breidenberg said.
The witnesses and several members noted that just three Indian Trust Asset Management Plans (ITAMPs) have been approved nationally during the demonstration because of administrative barriers and uncertainty about the program’s durability. Breidenberg and other witnesses said permanence would encourage more tribes to participate, scale local workforce capacity and sustain restoration work.
Members pressed witnesses on measurable outcomes and barriers. Lawmakers and witnesses discussed the need for funding and staff capacity to translate authority into on‑the‑ground work; Ranking Member Ledger Fernandez said program success hinges on appropriations to pay staff and sustain operations.
The subcommittee did not take votes. Members asked witnesses to provide follow‑up information in writing; the hearing record will be held open for 10 business days.
