1. United States
2. Mich.
3. Letter

I urge you to vote against H. R. 471 – the Fix Our Forests Act. The bill is marketed as a way to cut wildfire risk, but it actually opens the door to massive clearcutting that will drive up global warming and make wildfires worse – putting our climate and communities at risk. Several independent analyses and statements from environmental organizations show that the Act would weaken key environmental review processes, including those required by the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and the Endangered Species Act, and open the door to massive logging on federal, public, and Tribal lands. Rather than using proven techniques like prescribed burns and selective thinning to promote healthy forests, the bill would effectively authorize clearcutting. Studies show that clearcutting not only removes mature, carbon-sequestering trees, but also disrupts forest ecosystems in ways that reduce natural windbreaks and increase the spread and intensity of wildfires. In addition, recent NGO letters and studies show that the bill’s provisions would pull focus and resources away from community-based wildfire mitigation efforts. Instead of investing in strategies like retrofitting homes and creating defensible spaces around structures, the Act promotes industrial-scale tree removal. This is the wrong approach: clearcutting can release far more carbon into the atmosphere per acre than the natural fire process, exacerbating global warming and creating conditions that lead to more frequent and destructive wildfires. It also notes concerns voiced by experts on the Senate floor. As several lawmakers have noted, more clearcutting does not equate to more wildfire safety. Quite the opposite, it can turn forests into fire tinderboxes, by removing trees that regulate local microclimates, and exposing the forest floor to more sunlight and wind, which can exacerbate fire behavior. Many states – and our country – are already reeling from severe wildfires and the impacts of climate change. We can’t continue to adopt policies that will not only fail to address these challenges but that will actively worsen them. I urge you to oppose H. R. 471 and instead to support policies that prioritize sustainable, science-based forest management practices that protect our ecosystems and our communities. Thank you for your consideration of this important matter. I trust that you will do what is right for our environment, public health, and future generations.