Emergency Mountain Pine Beetle Response Act

Key Points

• This bill creates a new grant program to help clean up and restore national forests damaged by mountain pine beetles. These beetles kill millions of trees, which can lead to bigger wildfires and damaged water supplies.
• State and local governments, Indian Tribes, and utility companies could apply for federal money to do this work. The grants would pay for removing dead trees, planting new ones, and fixing slopes to prevent mudslides or flooding.
• The government would give priority to projects that protect drinking water and power lines. It also focuses on areas where dead trees are close to neighborhoods, which helps lower the risk of dangerous wildfires.
• The Department of Agriculture would manage the program through the Forest Service. They would be responsible for picking the best projects and making sure the money is used to restore the health of the land and water.

Impact Analysis

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