Senator Mike Lee and Senator John Curtis, both Republicans from Utah, have introduced the Utah Wildfire Research Institute Act. They were joined by Representatives Mike Kennedy, Burgess Owens, Blake Moore, and Celeste Maloy in this legislative effort. The bill aims to establish a federal wildfire research institute at Utah State University.
The proposed institute will focus on studying wildfire ecology and developing innovative solutions to mitigate wildfire risks. It will work in collaboration with local, state, and federal partners to enhance forest and rangeland management while implementing strategies for long-term ecological restoration.
Chairman Lee stated that "robust forest management strategies are essential to protecting Utah’s nearly 22 million acres of forests from catastrophic wildfires." He emphasized that the act would improve the state's preparedness by providing tools and resources for proactive forest management.
Senator Curtis highlighted the impact of wildfires on Utah communities and expressed that the act ensures "Utah has the cutting-edge research and proactive solutions it needs" to prevent fires effectively. Representative Kennedy noted his pride in sponsoring the bill in the House, stressing its role in driving critical research for fire-resilient forests.
Representative Owens pointed out Utah's history of responsible resource management and expressed hope that establishing the institute would harness local expertise and strengthen efforts against wildfires. Representative Moore mentioned that creating an institute in his district would bring together experts to develop innovative solutions for forest safety.
The bill amends the Southwest Forest Health and Wildfire Prevention Act of 2004 to include Utah as a location for the Southwest Ecological Restoration Institutes alongside Arizona, New Mexico, and Colorado. It directs officials to designate a university in Utah to host this new institute. Additionally, it requires funding allocation under existing legislation.
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