A coalition of 70 local governments from across the nation called on Congressional leadership to move legislation to ensure fire agencies’ ability to use fire retardants to combat wildfire.
Click here to read the House letter and here to read the Senate letter.
The June 1 coalition letter sent to House, Senate, and Senate Environment and Public Works Committee leaderships urges Congress to pass the Forest Protection and Wildland Firefighter Safety Act, which would codify the exemption that federal, state, and local firefighting agencies leverage to apply fire retardant against wildfire without violating the Clean Water Act.
Senator Cynthia Lummis, R-Wyo., sponsors S. 796, the Senate version of the bill and Congressman Doug LaMalfa sponsors the bipartisan House bill, H.R. 1586.
Meanwhile, A federal judge in Montana ruled on May 25 that the U.S. Forest Service’s aerial application of fire retardants to combat wildfire violates the federal Clean Water Act and must seek a permit for continued use. As this process could take up to two years, the judge will allow federal fire agencies to continue use of retardants until a final decision is made on a permit. The U.S. Forest Service is required to update the court on its progress every six months. This decision applies in the Ninth Federal Circuit states of Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington.
The National Special Districts Coalition (NSDC), of which CSDA is a founding member, coordinated the coalition letter sent from 55 special districts, 12 counties, and three cities.
“The letter sends a clear message from a diverse group of local governments, from West to East, united by a common threat,” said Cole Arreola-Karr, NSDC Federal Advocacy Director. “While we are relieved the court will allow application of retardant while the U.S Forest Service seeks permit, we are eager for certainty that this public policy issue is one that must be favorably resolved for the public health, safety, vitality, and even existence, of wildland-urban interface communities.”
The following local agencies signed the coalition letter:
Arizona
1. Coconino County; Supervisor Patrice Horstman, Chair
California
2. City of Lake Elsinore; Jason Simpson, City Manager
3. City of Menifee; Mayor Bill Zimmerman
4. City of San Jacinto; Robert Johnson, City Manager
5. Durham Irrigation District; Matt Doyle, Board Chair
6. Golden Hills Community Services District (Tehachapi); Susan Wells, General Manager
7. Modoc County; Supervisor Ned Coe, 1st District
8. Montecito Fire Protection District; David Neels, Fire Chief
9. Placer County Water Agency; Anthony Firenzi, Director of Strategic Affairs
10. Rancho Santa Fe Fire Protection District; Alicea Caccavo, Manager, Finance & Administration
11. Riverside County; Supervisor Kevin Jeffries, Chair of the Board of Supervisors
12. Stallion Springs Community Services District (Tehachapi); Vanessa Stevens, General Manager
13. Tahoe City Public Utility District; Sean Barclay, General Manager
14. Tulare County; Supervisor Dennis Townsend, Chairman of the Board
15. Tuolumne Utilities District (Sonora); Don Perkins, General Manager
Colorado
16. Eagle River Fire Protection District (Edwards); Kari Bauer, Fire Chief
17. Elizabeth Fire Protection District; TJ Steck, Fire Chief
18. Elk Creek Fire Protection District (Conifer); Jacob N. Ware, Fire Chief
19. Fraser Valley Metropolitan Recreation District; Scott Ledin, Executive Director
20. Hot Sulphur Springs Fire Protection District; Toni Russell, Lieutenant
21. Hyland Hills Park and Recreation District (Federal Heights); Yvonne Fischbach, Executive Director
22. La Veta Fire Protection District; Ronald Jameson, Chief
23. Lyons Fire Protection District; Paul Davidovich, President of the Board of Directors
24. Summit Fire & EMS (Frisco); Travis Davis, Fire Chief
25. Telluride Fire Protection District; John S. Bennett, District Chief
Florida
26. Fort Myers Shores Fire Protection & Rescue Service District; Robert Rewis, Fire Chief
27. Estero Fire and Rescue; Scott A. Vanderbrook, Fire Chief
28. San Carlos Park Fire Protection & Rescue Service District; David Cambareri, Fire Chief/District Manager
Idaho
29. Lincoln County; Commissioner Rebecca Wood, Chairman of the Board
30. Idaho County; Commissioner Skip Brant, Chairman of the Board
New Mexico
31. Union County; Commissioner Clay Kiesling
Oregon
32. Ashland Fire & Rescue; Ralph E. Sartain II, Fire Chief
33. Chiloquin Fire & Rescue; C. Michael Cook, Fire Chief
34. Clackamas Fire District (Milwaukie); Nick Browne, Fire Chief
35. Cove Rural Fire Protection District; Nathiel “Nate” Conrad, President
36. Estacada Fire District; Ian O’Connor, Fire Chief
37. Glide Rural Fire Protection District; Ted Damewood, Fire Chief
38. Grant County; County Commissioner Jim Hamsher
39. Hauser Rural Fire Protection District (North Bend); Jerry Wharton, Fire Chief
40. Illinois Valley Fire District (Cave Junction); John J. Holmes; Fire Chief, Chief Executive Officer
41. Jackson County Fire District 3 (White City); Mike Hussey, Fire Chief
42. Junction City Rural Fire Protection District; Brandon Nicol, Fire Chief
43. Keizer Fire District; Ryan Russell, Fire Chief
44. Klamath Irrigation District; Gene Souza, Executive Director
45. Lake Chinook Fire & Rescue (Culver); Don Colfels, Fire Chief
46. Lebanon Aquatic District; Loree Engler, Executive Director
47. Lebanon Rural Fire Protection District; Joseph Rodondi, Fire Chief
48. Marion County Fire District #1; Kyle McMann, Fire Chief
49. McKenzie Fire/Rescue (Leaburg); Darren Bucich, Fire Chief
50. Medford Fire Department; Eric Thompson, Fire Chief
51. Nestucca Rural Fire Protection District (Cloverdale); James Oeder, Fire Chief
52. Northern Wasco County People’s Utility District; Cyndi Gentry, Director of Corporate Services
53. Ontario Rural Fire Protection District; Clint Benson, Fire Chief
54. Port of The Dalles; Greg Weast, Commission President
55. Rogue River Rural Fire Protection District (Gold Hill); Mike Hammond, Fire Chief
56. Scappoose Fire District; Jeff Pricher, Fire Chief
57. Sisters-Camp Sherman Rural Fire Protection District; Roger Johnson, Fire Chief
58. South Lane County Fire & Rescue (Cottage Grove); John Wooten, Fire Chief
59. Sunriver Fire Department; Rodney Bjorvik, Interim Fire Chief
60. Tenmile Rural Fire District; Travis W. Henderson, Fire Chief
61. Tygh Valley Water District; Dan Jaffe, Board Chair
62. Umatilla County Fire District 1; Scott Stanton, Fire Chief
63. Umatilla County Special Library District; Heather Estrada, District Director
64. Vernonia Rural Fire Protection District; Robert Davis, Fire Chief
65. Wasco County; County Commissioner Scott Hege
66. Williams Rural fire Protection District; Bill Ertel, Board of Directors
Texas
67. Travis County Emergency Services District No. 5; Chris Barron, Chief
Utah
68. Beaver County; Commissioner Wade Hollingshead, Chairman
Washington
69. Yakima County; County Commissioner Amanda McKinney
Wyoming
70. Park County Fire Protection District #2; Jerry Parker, Administrator/Fire Warden
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