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Forest Protection and Firefighter Safety: Exempting Fire Retardant Discharges.

This Act aims to speed up and simplify the fight against wildfires by exempting government agencies from certain environmental permits. Federal, state, and tribal agencies no longer need permits for discharging fire retardants during fire suppression activities. While this allows for faster emergency response, it bypasses standard environmental checks related to the discharge of these substances into water bodies.
Key points
Faster Fire Response: Federal agencies (e.g., Forest Service, FEMA), state, and tribal governments are exempt from needing permits for dropping fire retardants.
Environmental Exemption: The discharge of fire retardants is excluded from the permitting requirements of the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) under the Clean Water Act.
Increased Safety: The goal is to enhance firefighter safety and protect forest lands by removing bureaucratic hurdles during emergencies.
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Additional Information
Print number: 118_S_796
Sponsor: Sen. Lummis, Cynthia M. [R-WY]
Process start date: 2023-03-14
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Summarized by: gemini-flash-latest
Source data: api.congress.gov
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OFFICIAL LEGAL TITLE

Forest Protection and Wildland Firefighter Safety Act of 2023

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is the official ID of this bill?

The official print number for this legislation is 118_S_796.

Which chamber initiated this legislation?

This legislation was initiated in the Senate.

When did the legislative process begin?

The process officially started on 2023-03-14.

What are the main provisions?

Key points include:

  • Faster Fire Response: Federal agencies (e.g., Forest Service, FEMA), state, and tribal governments are exempt from needing permits for dropping fire retardants.
  • Environmental Exemption: The discharge of fire retardants is excluded from the permitting requirements of the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) under the Clean Water Act.
  • Increased Safety: The goal is to enhance firefighter safety and protect forest lands by removing bureaucratic hurdles during emergencies.
What is the specific legal status?

The current status is Expired.

Where can I read the full text of this legislation?

The full official text is available at: View full text

Who is the primary sponsor?

The primary sponsor is Sen. Lummis, Cynthia M. [R-WY].

What is the latest detailed status?

The latest detailed status is: Introduced in Senate

Is this summary verified?

Yes. This content was analyzed by AI and verified by the Lustra Judge System on 2025-12-27.

CATEGORIES

Environment Security