PHOENIX, AZ – A newly-created Ad Hoc Committee on Forest and Wildfire Management has been created to address the management of wildfires. Representatives David Cook, Gail Griffin, Tim Dunn , Andres Cano, and Stephanie Stahl Hamilton have been appointed to serve on the new committee.
According to Cook, the Committee is designed to research and make recommendations for potential changes to state and federal laws and regulations related to the management of wildfires in the state of Arizona. Consideration will be given to protocols and accountability for reducing devastation from fire management and post fire hazards, including appropriate services available to rehabilitate from both the state and federal levels of government.
“It is time that we closely examine forest and wildfire management practices and policies to assess potential improvements that will minimize the impact of these fires on Arizonans and our environment,” said Representative Cook. “We will perform our due diligence to ensure that the citizens of Arizona are getting the help they deserve during, and after, a fire. The state needs the ability to make decisions that are best for Arizona taxpayers and rural communities, and this Committee will help us do that. I am grateful to the Speaker for entrusting me to lead on this extremely important issue.”
“Wildfires are devastating to our communities and environment,” said Speaker of the House Rusty Bowers. “Given the recent history of wildfire in our state, I believe it’s appropriate for the legislature to examine how we potentially can improve management practices with the goal of better protecting people and property.”
The Committee is expected to hold a series of public hearings this year.
Last week, Governor Doug Ducey blasted the United States Forest Service’s failure to award bids for the Four Forest Restoration Initiative. The administration’s decision to cancel solicitations for the Initiative, known as 4FRI, follows Arizona’s years of participation in developing the request for proposal.
main proactive in our pursuit of forest health and disaster prevention. We will continue to work with federal and community partners and safety personnel to protect people, pets and property.”
4FRI is a collaborative U.S. Forest service project involving the timber industry, environmental groups and public sector partners. It is designed to restore the structure, pattern, composition and health of fire-adapted ponderosa pine ecosystems, which live in northern Arizona. It is also intended to reduce fuels and the risk of unnaturally severe wildfires, as well as provide for wildlife and plant diversity.
This past year, Ducey signed Senate Bill (SB) 1442, sponsored by Sen. Sine Kerr, and Sen. Griffin, legislation which aims to prevent wildfires by allowing for additional partnerships to reduce the risk of wildfires on federal lands neighboring communities.