Rep. Negrete McLeod Applauds U.S. Department of Agriculture's Announcement to Improve San Bernardino County's Forest Health
Press Release
Rep. Gloria Negrete McLeod (D-Montclair), a member of the House Committee on Agriculture, commended this week's announcement by the U.S. Forest Service and the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to improve the health and resiliency of San Bernardino County's forest ecosystems to help reduce wildfire risk.
"In 2003, San Bernardino County experienced one of the most devastating wildfires that resulted in the loss of human life, destroyed hundreds of homes and cost the county millions," said Rep. Negrete McLeod. "With California currently experiencing a drought, it is imperative we take the necessary steps to improve our ecosystems and to ultimately be better prepared for future wildfires."
In October 2003, Southern California experienced catastrophic wildfires that burned over 750,000 acres, destroyed 3,500 homes, and resulted in 22 fatalities and over $3 billion in losses.
This week's announcement is part of the Obama Administration's Climate Action Plan to responsibly cut carbon pollution, slow the effects of climate change and put America on track to a cleaner environment.
The project, called the Chiefs' Joint Landscape Restoration Partnership, will invest $30 million in 13 projects across the country. This includes $1,428,000 in FY 2014 funding from the U.S. Forest Service and $2,620,000 from the National Resource Conservation Service for the San Bernardino and Riverside County Fuels Reduction Project. This project will implement forest health and wildfire hazard reduction projects on private land and will work to reduce forest fuels to protect community safety, wildlife habitats, watershed health, recreation opportunities, and cultural resources.
"This announcement by the NRCS and the U.S. Forest Service means needed federal dollars to the county to help reduce the risk of wildfires. I applaud the President and his administration for selecting San Bernardino County as one of only a few regions across the nation to receive this needed help," concluded Rep. Negrete McLeod.
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