Forest Service Chief Tom Schultz will return to Capitol Hill this week as his agency confronts wildfires in unexpected places and bigger questions about the future of national forests.
Wildfire may top the agenda as the House Agriculture Subcommittee on Forestry and Horticulture takes testimony from Schultz. The Trump administration’s unfolding shakeup of the agency is top of mind for Congress, as well.
Congress’ own actions are in play, too, including legislation called the Fix Our Forests Act to increase forest-thinning and wildfire preparedness. The House has passed it, but a Senate version awaits action.
Hundreds of employees face relocation as the Forest Service consolidates offices and steps back from some long-held mission areas. The agency’s long tradition of fighting wildfires may be moved to the Interior Department, unless Congress objects.
