Bruce Westerman: “I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Chair, I rise today in support of the amendment offered by Mr. Valadao of…”

“I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Chair, I rise today in support of the amendment offered by Mr. Valadao of California. This amendment does require the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture to conduct an evaluation of the container aerial firefighting system to assess the use of such a system to mitigate and suppress wildfires. The Secretaries must conduct this evaluation in consultation with the National Interagency Aviation Committee and the Interagency Airtanker Board. As we attempt to combat the devastating wildfire crisis, it is essential that agencies like the U.S. Forest Service are utilizing all available technologies to suppress wildfires. The technology supported by this amendment involves disposable containers that are dropped with water or fire retardant, which could potentially decrease the response time to fires and increase the number of aircraft available for firefighting duties. While the technology is not new, the wildland firefighting agencies have not actively studied it. This amendment, therefore, would ensure that our wildland firefighting agencies are fully informed about both the effectiveness and potential cost savings of this important technology. Mr. Chair, again, I thank Representative Valadao for his work on this amendment.…”