Press Releases

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, the House Committee on Natural Resources passed Congressman Matt Rosendale’s (MT-02) H.R. 200, the Forest Information Reform (FIR) Act, as a section in Chairman Westerman’s, H.R. 7408, the America’s Wildlife Habitat Conservation Act.

The Forest Information Reform Act would amend federal requirements to allow the U.S. Forest Service to incorporate new Endangered Species Act (ESA) information into its Public Lands Management projects, ending delays caused by unnecessary renewal of consultation.

Click the image below to watch the full remarks:

“Empowering our states and tribes with greater authority in the decision-making process is crucial to ensuring that endangered species are delisted once they have recovered, and that both public and private landowners can confidently manage forests and maintain habitats,” said Rep. Rosendale.

“This comprehensive bill includes my Forest Information Reform Act, and I deeply appreciate Chairman Westerman's continued support on this issue. Also known as the FIR Act, Title Five of this legislation presents a solution to break the cycle of litigation surrounding Forest Service Management by overturning the disastrous Cottonwood decision. Providing the Forest Service with the flexibility to integrate new information into existing plans, rather than necessitating a complete restart, will greatly benefit our nation's timber industry and forest management projects.”