{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://www.risch.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2017/10/risch-crapo-western-senators-introduce-bill-to-improve-fire-recovery-and-mitigation-efforts", "Risch, Crapo, Western Senators Introduce Bill to Improve Fire Recovery and Mitigation Efforts", "2017-10-06", "2017", "2017-10", "Republican", "House", "ID", "Jim Risch", "R000584", "www.risch.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Senators Michael Bennet (D-CO), Mike Crapo (R-ID), Jon Tester (D-MT), Jim Risch (R-ID), and Ron Wyden (D-OR) today introduced the Wildfire Mitigation Assistance Act to provide resources to assist communities recovering from damaging wildfires. The bill treats wildfires in the same manner as other natural disasters by making available Hazard Mitigation Assistance funding to states affected by catastrophic wildfires.\u00a0\r\n\u201cWildfires have catastrophic effects across the West,\u201d Bennet said. \u201cWe can dramatically reduce the severity and damage from these wildfires through mitigation work that minimizes the risk of flooding, erosion, and future fires. This bill would make it easier for affected communities to receive federal resources for post-fire recovery and mitigation efforts.\u201d\u00a0\r\n\u201cThroughout the American west, we have felt firsthand the devastation wildfires have on our habitat, our health and our way of life,\u201d Crapo said.\u00a0 \u201cThe Wildfire Mitigation Assistance Act would allow fire-prone communities to apply for Hazard Mitigation grants through the Federal Emergency Management Agency in order to undertake \u2018fire-wise' projects for homes in the wildland urban interface or to reduce hazardous fuels.\u00a0 Congress must continue to pursue efforts aimed at reducing the risk and severity of wildfires, as well as improve the response, prevention and mitigation efforts.\u201d\r\n\u201cI have seen firsthand the impact that catastrophic wildfires have on our communities,\u201d Tester said. \u201cFolks impacted by wildfire need assistance long after the flames stop burning, and this bill will help ensure that folks on the ground can restore land impacted by fire and better prevent future disasters.\u201d\r\n\"Massive wildfires destroy homes, businesses, and ecosystems in the west just like catastrophic hurricanes destroy communities in coastal regions,\" said Risch. \"This bill will help local governments in Idaho and across the west deal with the aftermath of large wildfires.\"\r\n\u201cWildfires have unfortunately proven once again to be the West\u2019s natural disasters,\u201d Wyden said. \u201cThis is urgent business that requires an equally urgent and comprehensive response. This bill marks a key piece of that response to help people recover from the devastation of wildfires by providing funding to local governments to reduce flooding and erosion after fires, monitor stream and habitat health and assist residents in clearing brush from around their homes and businesses.\u201d\r\n\r\nBackground on the\u00a0Wildfire Mitigation Assistance Act:\r\nCurrently, states can receive hazard mitigation funding to lessen the effects of a future disaster only after the president declares a major disaster. However, unlike in the case of hurricanes, floods, or tornados, most wildfires do not receive a major disaster declaration. This bill will allow states affected by wildfires to access the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) to implement measures that reduce the risk of flooding and erosion and take actions to prevent future wildfires.\u00a0\r\nBennet first introduced this measure as part of the PREPARE Act in 2015. Last week, Bennet, Crapo, Wyden, and Risch attended a briefing with U.S. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue to press the issue. Last month, Bennet introduced the Wildfire Disaster Act of 2017 and sent a bipartisan letter urging Senate Leaders McConnell (R-KY) and Charles Schumer (D-NY) to include a wildfire funding fix in any future disaster aid legislation.\u00a0\r\n\r\nStatements of support for the legislation:\u00a0\r\n\u201cWildfires continue to wreak tremendous damage across our Western landscapes and communities,\u201d said Roy Charles Brooks, President of National Association of Counties. \u201cThey threaten public safety, pollute the air, foul our waters and disrupt economic and recreational activity. The Wildfire Mitigation Assistance Act would help focus resources \u2013 federal, state and local \u2013 to prevent and recover from wildfires. Counties thank Senators Bennet, Crapo, Risch, Tester and Wyden for their leadership on this crucial issue.\u201d\r\n\u201cI thank Senator Bennet for introducing this important legislation,\u201d said Fire Chief Thomas Jenkins, President and Chairman of the Board of International Association of Fire Chiefs. \u201cFlooding and landslides can be a serious threat to communities already suffering from major wildland fire damage. This bill will help communities prevent further damage from these natural disasters. The IAFC supports this legislation and urges Congress to pass it.\"\u00a0\r\n\"While we are frequently judged based on response and criticized based on recovery, mitigation and preparedness are critical phases of emergency management and they most often occur outside the spotlight,\u201d said Robie Robinson, former President of the U.S. Council of the International Association of Emergency Managers. \u201cAs mitigation is the linchpin of emergency management, expanding hazard mitigation grant funding following a Fire Management Assistance Grant declaration will enable jurisdictions to implement programs that will effectively reduce risks and return benefits many fold.\u201d\r\n\u201cMitigation projects have been essential to our recovery from 2012\u2019s High Park Fire,\u201d said Lew Gaiter III, Larimer County Commissioner. \u201cThis legislation will give communities the resources to reduce the risk of post-fire flooding and property damage and help support the long-term recovery of communities affected by wildfires.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://www.risch.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2017/10/risch-crapo-western-senators-introduce-bill-to-improve-fire-recovery-and-mitigation-efforts"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 0.958483200520277, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}