Fix Our Forests Act

Floor Speech

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Ms. PETTERSEN. Mr. Chair, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Over 3 million people in my home State of Colorado live in areas at moderate to high risk of wildfires, which is over 50 percent of our State's population. Since 2001, 20 of the largest wildfires in our recorded history have occurred in Colorado, resulting in the loss of more than 2,500 homes over the past two decades.

Wildfires have not only threatened lives but also damaged ecosystems and disrupted communities.

Coloradans feel the devastating impacts of climate change every single day. This is our new normal: Fires are burning more frequently and more fiercely than ever before.

It is essential that we recognize the urgency of addressing this crisis to protect our communities. While recognizing that this bill doesn't include everything that we want to see, it is an important step moving forward.

We need a holistic approach, and this includes investing in predisaster mitigation measures, such as strengthening our infrastructure in housing and enhancing early detection capabilities, supporting our wildland firefighting workforce, and focusing on post- disaster resilience.

My amendment is a piece of this comprehensive response. Specifically, my amendment will require the Department of the Interior, in coordination with States, local governments, Tribes, and colleges to identify critical lands in need of reforestation and restoration due to natural disasters, and to support projects in those areas.

By investing in restoration and reforestation projects, we can ensure that our communities not only recover but also rebuild in a way that enhances their resilience against future disasters.

Unfortunately, wildfires leave lasting scars on our landscapes and can permanently alter our environment, heightening the risk of deadly flash flooding and mud flows. I hear from my constituents about their concerns regarding wildfires but also, unfortunately, flooding is close behind.

That is why it is important that we pass this amendment to strengthen the provisions in the underlying bill and ensure our communities are equipped to face the challenges head-on.

Recovery after a wildfire is a lengthy and challenging process. However, my amendment, together with the provisions in the bill, represents a step toward building stronger, more resilient communities against the threat of wildfires.

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Ms. PETTERSEN. Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to support this amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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