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Bill > SCR133


NJ SCR133

NJ SCR133
Urges Congress to pass "Fix Our Forests Act."


summary

Introduced
06/05/2025
In Committee
06/05/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead

Introduced Session

2024-2025 Regular Session

Bill Summary

This resolution urges Congress to pass the "Fix Our Forests Act." On average, 1,500 wildfires damage or destroy 7,000 acres of New Jersey's forests each year. In addition to damaging the State's forests and wildlife habitats, wildfires also threaten homes and businesses and jeopardize the health and wellbeing of people who live or recreate within or near the State's forests. The considerable number of hot, dry, or windy days that New Jersey has been experiencing increases the likelihood of wildfires. As the most densely populated state in the country, New Jersey residents are increasingly at risk of being near a wildfire. The "Fix Our Forests Act," currently pending in the United States Congress would create an interagency Fireshed Center to use data to assess and predict wildfire risk to help inform wildfire reduction activities. A data-driven approach to assessing wildfire risk could help this State make strategic decisions about land management practices and take actions that are most likely to decrease the risk of wildfires. Forest fire management techniques vary broadly and can include using prescribed fires to reduce brush that fuels wildfires, thinning the number of trees through accepted forest management practices, minimizing the spread of diseases and insects, and building resilience in at-risk communities. The "Fix Our Forests Act" would facilitate environmental reviews for accepted forest management practices, limit litigation involving fireshed management projects, promote livestock grazing in forests, require a study on pine beetle infestations, and promote strategies to strengthen the domestic seed supply.

AI Summary

This joint resolution urges Congress to pass the "Fix Our Forests Act," a piece of proposed federal legislation aimed at addressing wildfire risks and forest management. The resolution highlights that New Jersey's forests cover 40 percent of the state's land and are vulnerable to wildfires, with an average of 1,500 wildfires damaging or destroying 7,000 acres annually. As the most densely populated state in the nation, New Jersey faces significant risks from these fires, which threaten wildlife habitats, homes, businesses, and public health. The proposed act would create an interagency Fireshed Center to use data-driven approaches for assessing and predicting wildfire risks, enabling more strategic land management practices. Additionally, the act would facilitate environmental reviews, limit litigation related to forest management, promote livestock grazing in forests, study pine beetle infestations, and support domestic seed supply strategies. By supporting this legislation, the New Jersey Legislature aims to improve forest resilience and reduce the potential for destructive wildfires, especially given the increasing occurrence of hot, dry, and windy conditions that exacerbate fire risks.

Committee Categories

Agriculture and Natural Resources

Sponsors (2)

Last Action

Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Environment and Energy Committee (on 06/05/2025)

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