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House subcommittee urges Senate to pass Fix Our Forests Act to protect Western water and power
Summary
Witnesses from utilities and water agencies told a House Natural Resources subcommittee that federal forests left dense by decades of fire suppression threaten water supplies and electric reliability and urged Congress to pass the House-passed Fix Our Forests Act to speed treatments, fund staffing, and grant targeted authorities such as categorical exclusions and improved post‑fire recovery.
WASHINGTON — A House Natural Resources subcommittee hearing on federal forest health heard near‑unanimous calls from utilities, water providers and public‑power associations for congressional action to accelerate active forest management to protect water supplies and electricity infrastructure.
The Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife, and Fisheries convened to examine the connection between unhealthy national forests, wildfire behavior, and impacts on downstream water and power systems. Chairwoman Hageman opened the hearing by saying, "We are here today to hold an oversight hearing titled Fix our forests for affordable and reliable water and power supplies," and framed the issue as a combination of a century of fire suppression and policy constraints that have left forests overstocked and vulnerable to large, high‑severity fires.
Witnesses described the practical impacts on customers and communities. "Healthy, actively managed forests are essential protecting our communities and maintaining the clean, reliable water supplies that our communities and ecosystems depend on," said Travis Deal, CEO of…
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