WASHINGTON— Today, the United States House of Representatives passed the Fiscal Year 2024 Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations bill. Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson – Chairman of the House Interior and Environment Appropriations Subcommittee – authored language that improves forest management by addressing the harmful impacts of Cottonwood Environmental Law Center v. United States Forest Service decision.   

“Forest health has declined for decades as active forest management has stalled or stopped due to over-litigation,” said Rep. Simpson. “Enhancing forest health and improving management is critical for protecting communities, forests, and the environment. We cannot regulate forest management as a ‘one size fits all’ approach. I am pleased to see this important provision advance, and I urge the Senate to take this bill up immediately.”  

The Cottonwood decision created bureaucratic obstacles that have affected state and local managers’ ability to protect natural resources. Addressing the harmful impacts of this decision is a crucial step in managing the wildfire crisis and removing unnecessary procedures that stand in the way of forest management. This provision would require the Secretary of the Interior to reissue the proposed rule published on January 12, 2021, which would clarify consultation obligations finalized forest and land management plans. Rep. Simpson’s provision language is part of the Fiscal Year 2024 funding package for the Department of the Interior, the Environmental Protection Agency, and Related Agencies.   

This funding package will advance to the Senate for further consideration.