releases: https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/house-panel-holds-hearing-greg-walden-s-plan-protect-crooked-river-ranch
Data license: MIT · Data source: dwillis/congress-press
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| https://walden.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/house-panel-holds-hearing-greg-walden-s-plan-protect-crooked-river-ranch | House panel holds hearing on Greg Waldens plan to protect Crooked River Ranch from fire | 2016-05-12 | 2016 | 2016-05 | Republican | House | OR | Greg Walden | W000791 | walden.house.gov | legacy | House panel holds hearing on Greg Walden's plan to protect Crooked River Ranch from fire Click here or on the image below to watch Walden's video message WASHINGTON, D.C. A key House committee today heard from Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River) and the Crooked River Ranch fire chief today about a plan to protect Crooked River Ranch from catastrophic wildfire. The hearing today before the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands is a major step forward for Walden's bill, the Crooked River Ranch Fire Protection Act (H.R. 5132). Because of misguided federal land policies, the overstocked land adjacent to Crooked River Ranch presents a serious fire threat to homes in the area, said Walden. I want to thank Fire Chief Hoffmann for speaking before the panel on the dangers this community faces and the obstacles in the way of his department's ability to protect property and lives. I'm pleased the Natural Resources Committee has moved forward on the plan so we can ensure the BLM is being a good neighbor and help protect the residents at Crooked River Ranch.Click here to view Walden's full testimony. As a Fire Chief, it is my responsibility to protect the lives and property of those I serve, said Crooked River Ranch Fire Chief Richard Hoffmann in his testimony. I was pleased to brief the committee today to make sure they are aware of the need for proper fuel mitigation around Crooked River Ranch. By moving the Wilderness Study Area boundary line away from private properties, we will be able to establish a first line of defense for home owners and reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfire before it happens.Click here to view Chief Hoffmann's full testimony. Local fire chief Richard Hoffmann testifies in support of the plan before Natural Resources panel Walden introduced the Crooked River Ranch Fire Protection Act in the House on April 29. The proposal would help protect lives and property at Crooked River Ranch by adjusting the boundary of the adjacent Wilderness Study Area (WSA) in order to better facilitate fire prevention activities on public lands and the adjacent private property. These lands are in the highest risk category for exposure to devastating wildfire due to overstocked juniper standsunder the federally mandated and locally promulgated Jefferson County Community Wildfire Protection Plan. And the current WSA classification prevents mechanical fire prevention activities within these overstocked juniper stands. During the hearing, Rep. Tom McClintock (R-Calif.), who chairs the panel, said, Here's a song we've heard before: despite the high fire risk, BLM is not performing adequate fire prevention activities, particularly mechanical treatments, in the area because it is managed as a WSA. In addition, the location of the WSA hampers firefighting tactics, leaving local firefighters with no maneuvering room to protect life and property in the event of catastrophic wildfire. The next step for the bill is a vote in the Natural Resources Committee before it goes before the full U.S. House. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z |