Congress has expanded the Forest Service’s ability to remove trees around power lines — but the agency isn’t making much use of its capabilities, according to a leading House Democrat.
California Rep. Jared Huffman, the top Democrat on the House Natural Resources Committee, offered that judgment Tuesday at a hearing on the wildfire dangers posed by vegetation along utility rights of way in national forests. The House has approved legislation targeting that concern, but the bill is still awaiting Senate action.
Republicans called the hearing of the Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries to highlight that legislation, H.R. 471, the “Fix Our Forests Act.” It would give the Forest Service stepped-up authorities to clear vegetation as far as 150 feet from electric power rights of way with less environmental review.
Huffman said additional powers already granted to the Forest Service are “simply not being implemented” and that Congress should conduct more oversight to explore why.
