Press Releases

Today, the U.S. House of Representatives voted to pass the bipartisan Post-Disaster Reforestation and Restoration Act introduced by Representatives Brittany Pettersen (CO-07) and Chuck Edwards (NC-11). This bill would help communities impacted by natural disasters recover and rebuild more resilient to future threats through reforestation and restoration efforts.

Over 3 million Coloradans – more than half of the state’s population – live in a moderate to high-risk wildfire area. As wildfires become increasingly common, it is crucial to invest in post-disaster recovery strategies, including reforestation and restoration efforts, to rehabilitate damaged ecosystems and protect communities from future disasters.

“As wildfires become a year-round threat, prioritizing post-disaster recovery is critical to making sure our communities have what they need to recover and rebuild more resilient to future threats,” said Pettersen. “That means restoring damaged land by investing in reforestation and restoration efforts to reduce the risk of future catastrophic fires. I’m thankful for the partnership of Congressman Edwards and will keep working to get this signed into law so we are better prepared for wildfires and other threats for generations to come.”

Specifically, the Post-Disaster Reforestation and Restoration Act would:

• Require the Department of Interior, in coordination with states, local governments, tribes, and colleges to identify critical lands in need of rehabilitation after natural disasters and support projects through grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements. 

The legislation is endorsed by the following organizations: The Nature Conservancy, American Forests, National Association of Counties, the National Association of University Forest Resources Programs, and the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership.