An Arizona Republican yesterday introduced a bill that would streamline approval of logging and grazing projects to reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfires.

Rep. Paul Gosar's (R-Ariz.) bill, which carries 27 co-sponsors, including two Democrats, would allow federal land managers to use emergency provisions of existing regulations to speed grazing and forest-thinning projects on Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management lands, according to Gosar's office. H.R. 5744 also seeks to reduce threats to endangered species from wildfires.

"The southwestern United States is again experiencing drought conditions, leaving our constituents vulnerable to yet another devastating fire season," Gosar said earlier this month, noting that nearly 1 million acres of Arizona forests burned last year, harming air and wildlife and its habitat. "This legislation will expedite the review and approval process for thinning and grazing projects near at-risk communities, so that our forests can be maintained and rural jobs can be created."

The bill sets deadlines for agencies to finalize proposed projects after taking public comments. Environmental assessments for grazing projects would be valid for at least a decade for grazing proposals and at least 20 years for timber thinning projects, according to the bill.

In addition, the bill requires the Interior secretary to evaluate the impacts of endangered species listings on hazardous fuel loads in forests. Critical habitat designations would also need to include a wildfire risk assessment.

The bill drew praise from a ranching advocacy group.

"Decades of mismanagement and convoluted environmental regulation have left our nation's vast forest lands one spark away from a catastrophic wildfire," said John Falen, president of the Public Lands Council, in a statement yesterday. "In many parts of the nation, these forests, which have historically provided grazing land for livestock and habitat to wildlife, are nothing more than kindling for the next big fire."