On the recordMay 10, 2019
Madam Chair, I rise today in support of this amendment to H.R. 2157, increasing funding for the Emergency Watershed Protection Program. Last year, Utah, like many States in the West, faced devastating wildfires that affected areas of my district. The Pole Creek fire and Bald Mountain fire, which started on Federal land, collectively burned over 117,000 acres and left, damaged, infrastructure and watersheds. Many of my communities affected by the fires need assistance to rebuild and repair the critical watersheds that they rely on, but they have not been able to receive it. For example, Utah County has been approved for over $9 million in aid from NRCS through this program, but inadequate funding means they won't receive those promised dollars. Cleaning up and rebuilding after a wildfire is an important step in protecting against future disasters. I am pleased to support this amendment that will bring aid to communities like Utah County that have been affected by catastrophic natural disasters.
