USFS Removal of Flammable Vegetation

Dept. of Agriculture Forest Service National Forest System

Wildfire-Specific Spending: Yes

Wildfire Activities Funded: Mitigation

Authorization:
P.L. 117-58

100
TOTAL APPROPRIATIONS (IN MIL)
FY2015 – FY2024

Description

Funding from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) for “contracting or employing crews of laborers to modify and remove flammable vegetation on Federal land and for using materials from treatments, to the extent practicable, to produce biochar and other innovative wood products, including through the use of existing locally based organizations that engage young adults, Native youth, and veterans in service projects, such as youth and conservation corps.”

Additional Program Notes & TCS Insights

Subsidies to address the lack of commercial viability of forest and wood products under the guise of reducing “hazardous fuel” might create perverse incentives that undercut forest health objectives and can increase the risk of fire. Where timber and other forest products harvest can take place is often determined by road access, commercial viability, and other local conditions that may misalign with wildfire spatial patterns or even undermine overall forest health.

Appropriations

Regular Supplemental IIJA IRA
FY2015 0
FY2016 0
FY2017 0
FY2018 0
FY2019 0
FY2020 0
FY2021 0
FY2022 0 20,000,000 0
FY2023 0 0 20,000,000
FY2024 0 0 20,000,000
FY2025 20,000,000
FY2026 20,000,000

Last Updated: October 17, 2024

Received Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) Funding: Yes – New

Received Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) Funding: No