Wildfire Prevention and Drought Mitigation Act of 2021

Wildfire Prevention and Drought Mitigation Act of 2021

This bill categorically excludes forest management activities carried out on specified public lands from requirements to conduct environmental assessments and environmental impact statements. In order to be excluded from environmental review, the primary purposes of such activities must be to

• protect a municipal or tribal water source from damage caused by wildfire;
• improve watershed or habitat conditions;
• improve, maintain, or restore water yield or quality;
• improve, maintain, or restore snowpack; or
• adapt the forest landscape to an increased threat of drought.

The bill limits the categorical exclusion to activities that manage up to 10,000 acres of land. However, activities that manage up to 30,000 acres of land may be categorically excluded from environmental review if the activities are located in areas that (1) are in a severe, extreme, or exceptional drought; or (2) have been in such droughts in the previous five years.

Bill 117 HR 4518, also known as the Wildfire Prevention and Drought Mitigation Act of 2021, aims to address the increasing threat of wildfires and droughts in the United States. The bill focuses on implementing measures to prevent wildfires and mitigate the impact of droughts on communities and ecosystems.

One key aspect of the bill is the establishment of a national wildfire prevention and drought mitigation strategy. This strategy will involve collaboration between federal, state, and local agencies to develop and implement effective wildfire prevention and drought mitigation measures. The bill also includes provisions for increasing funding for wildfire prevention and drought mitigation efforts, as well as for conducting research on the causes and impacts of wildfires and droughts.

Additionally, the bill includes provisions for improving forest management practices, such as thinning overgrown forests and conducting controlled burns to reduce the risk of wildfires. It also includes measures to support communities affected by wildfires and droughts, such as providing assistance for rebuilding homes and infrastructure. Overall, Bill 117 HR 4518 aims to address the growing threat of wildfires and droughts in the United States through a comprehensive approach that includes prevention, mitigation, and support for affected communities.