Statement on reports that Congress has reached a wildfire funding deal

In response to credible reports indicating that Congressional leaders reached a deal early Wednesday on a wildfire funding fix, Conservation Northwest issued the following statement:

“We welcome this deal with both appreciation and relief,” said Mitch Friedman, Executive Director. “There has long been a need and bipartisan support for a more sensible approach to paying for Forest Service firefighting. This deal achieves that need while including relatively modest timber-driven provisions, rather than extreme logging provisions that some in Congress tried to force. Senator Cantwell deserves extreme appreciation for her stalwart leadership throughout this process, and we also thank Representation McMorris Rodgers for playing an important role.”

The deal appears to not include the feared riders related to Alaska or roadless areas, but we await further details. The agreed upon provisions would be amended to the Omnibus Appropriations Bill that Congress has a Friday night deadline to pass.

Read more on wildfire funding and roadless areas from the Spokesman Review.

Or read more of our perspectives on these issues in Mitch’s Wild Northwest Blog post: Dispatch from the other Washington