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OFFICIAL COMMITTEE VIDEO · 2:06:41Pick a point on the bar to jump thereTap the bar to jump2:06:41
Why this hearing
On the record: 8 witnesses, including 3 state and local officials, 1 federal official, and 1 from a business or trade group.
Real oversight or theater?
Did this hearing get real answers, or was it mostly speeches?
NO RATINGS YET
What each witness said
The main points of each witness’s written statement.
U.S. Forest ServiceDeputy Chief of State, Private, and Tribal Forestry · John CrockettPANEL II
- Supports expedited approval for rebuilding communications facilities damaged or destroyed by a major disaster or emergency event.
- Supports conveyance of the Perryville office building and 0.81-acre parcel to Perry County and seeks prompt conveyance.
“The Forest Service strongly supports the exclusion of communications facilities damaged by a wildfire disaster or emergency from being considered a "major Federal action,”
Utah Forest Restoration InstituteDirector · Dr. Larissa YocomPANEL III
- Argues establishing a Utah SWERI would add to a proven program and help reduce wildfire risk through science-based forest management.
- Asks Congress to provide sufficient appropriations for the new Utah institute and sustain funding for existing SWERI institutes.
“Federal designation of a SWERI in Utah will need to be followed by sufficient appropriations for the new Utah institute and sustained appropriations for the existing SWERI.”
Karuk Tribe Department of Natural ResourcesDirector of Natural Resources and Environmental Policy · Bill TrippPANEL III
- Asks Congress to enable Forest Service agreements that share decision-making authority with Tribes and defer to Tribal decisions.
- Argues Congress should distinguish federal program delivery from inherently Tribal activities, including cultural burning, and preserve Tribal sovereignty.
“The authority for the Forest Service to enter into an agreement that recognizes the differences between federal actions and those inherently tribal is paramount”
Ponderosa TelephoneGeneral Manager · Greg AndreasPANEL III
- Supports H.R. 1655 to expedite NEPA and NHPA reviews for restoring communications facilities after wildfires.
- Asks Congress to consider similar streamlining after hurricanes or tornadoes.
“Streamlined approvals are not just a matter of regulatory efficiency - they are a lifeline for communities trying to rebuild and stay connected.”
- Supports expedited approval for rebuilding communications facilities damaged or destroyed by a major disaster or emergency event.
- Supports conveyance of the Perryville office building and 0.81-acre parcel to Perry County and seeks prompt conveyance.
“The Forest Service strongly supports the exclusion of communications facilities damaged by a wildfire disaster or emergency from being considered a "major Federal action,”
- Argues establishing a Utah SWERI would add to a proven program and help reduce wildfire risk through science-based forest management.
- Asks Congress to provide sufficient appropriations for the new Utah institute and sustain funding for existing SWERI institutes.
“Federal designation of a SWERI in Utah will need to be followed by sufficient appropriations for the new Utah institute and sustained appropriations for the existing SWERI.”
- Asks Congress to enable Forest Service agreements that share decision-making authority with Tribes and defer to Tribal decisions.
- Argues Congress should distinguish federal program delivery from inherently Tribal activities, including cultural burning, and preserve Tribal sovereignty.
“The authority for the Forest Service to enter into an agreement that recognizes the differences between federal actions and those inherently tribal is paramount”
- Supports H.R. 1655 to expedite NEPA and NHPA reviews for restoring communications facilities after wildfires.
- Asks Congress to consider similar streamlining after hurricanes or tornadoes.
“Streamlined approvals are not just a matter of regulatory efficiency - they are a lifeline for communities trying to rebuild and stay connected.”
Who asked what
We haven’t logged who asked questions at this hearing yet.
Question logs come from the committee’s official video.
The subcommittee
18 members · 10 Republicans, 8 Democrats
- Thomas P. TiffanyR-WI-7 · CHAIR
- Mike KennedyR-UT-3 · VICE CHAIR
- Mark E. AmodeiR-NV-2
- Cliff BentzR-OR-2
- Russ FulcherR-ID-1
- Wesley HuntR-TX-38
- Celeste MaloyR-UT-2
- Tom McClintockR-CA-5
- Pete StauberR-MN-8
- Bruce WestermanR-AR-4 · EX OFFICIO
- Joe NeguseD-CO-2 · RANKING
- Maxine DexterD-OR-3
- Teresa Leger FernandezD-NM-3
- Jared F. GoldenD-ME-2
- Susie LeeD-NV-3
- Emily RandallD-WA-6
- Melanie A. StansburyD-NM-1
- Jared HuffmanD-CA-2 · EX OFFICIO
Witnesses
A group of witnesses who testify and take questions together.
- The Honorable Jared HuffmanMember of CongressWITNESS TYPEMember of CongressTHIS CONGRESSFirst appearanceNO STATEMENT POSTED
- The Honorable Cliff BentzMember of CongressWITNESS TYPEMember of CongressTHIS CONGRESSFirst appearanceNO STATEMENT POSTED
- The Honorable Mike KennedyMember of CongressWITNESS TYPEMember of CongressTHIS CONGRESSFirst appearanceNO STATEMENT POSTED
A group of witnesses who testify and take questions together.
- John CrockettDeputy Chief of State, Private, and Tribal Forestry, U.S. Forest ServiceWITNESS TYPEFederal officialTHIS CONGRESSFirst appearance
A group of witnesses who testify and take questions together.
- The Honorable Larry BlackmonJudge, Perry County, ArkansasWITNESS TYPEState & localTHIS CONGRESSFirst appearance
- Dr. Larissa YocomDirector, Utah Forest Restoration InstituteWITNESS TYPEState & localTHIS CONGRESSFirst appearance
- Bill TrippDirector of Natural Resources and Environmental Policy, Karuk Tribe Department of Natural ResourcesWITNESS TYPEState & localTHIS CONGRESSFirst appearance
- Greg AndreasGeneral Manager, Ponderosa TelephoneWITNESS TYPENon-governmentalTHIS CONGRESSFirst appearance
In the news
No news coverage of this hearing yet.
Timeline & documents
- Hearing noticed (done)JUN 3, 2025
- Held (done)JUN 10, 2025 · 10:15 AM – 11:50 AM
- Video posted (done)JUN 10, 2025 · 11:50 AM
- Written testimony posted (done)JUN 10, 2025 · 5:57 PM
- Questions for the record (not yet)NOT POSTED YET
- Printed transcript (done)PUBLISHED AUG 21
- Meeting noticePDF (opens the committee’s file)
- Committee memoPDF (opens the committee’s file)
- Written testimony (5)PAGE (opens the committee’s file)
- Statements for the recordPDF (opens the committee’s file)
- Questions for the recordPENDING
- TranscriptPDF (opens the committee’s file)
- Printed transcriptPDF (opens the committee’s file)
- Bill text (4)PAGE (opens the committee’s file)
Written follow-up questions from members, answered after the hearing. aren’t posted yet. The printed transcript is out.