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Committee backs bill to create Utah Forest Restoration Institute, align it with WRI

House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environmental Standing Committee · February 2, 2026
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Summary

Lawmakers advanced HB 376 to create the Utah Forest Restoration Institute at Utah State University, align it with the Watershed Restoration Initiative, provide emergency funding pathways for post‑wildfire response, and require annual reporting; a fiscal amendment reallocating existing university funds was adopted.

Representative Albrecht told the committee HB 376 establishes the Utah Forest Restoration Institute at Utah State University to strengthen forest and watershed health research and coordination and aligns that institute with the Watershed Restoration Initiative (WRI) for project funding, prioritization and long‑term monitoring.

Tyler Thompson, director of the Watershed Restoration Initiative (Department…

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