House Advances 11 Natural Resources Bills on Wildfire Mitigation, Conservation, Supporting Local Arkansans

Today, the U.S. House of Representatives advanced legislation that encourages responsible conservation, mitigates impacts from wildfires and other natural disasters, and supports a rural Arkansas community. House Committee on Natural Resources Chairman Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.) issued the following statement:

"As 2025 draws to a close, the House Committee on Natural Resources has been busy delivering results to districts across the country. I commend my colleagues for leading legislation to implement land transfers to better serve their community needs, encourage greater wildfire prevention and disaster response efforts, and ensure conservation and resource development activities continue."

Background

H.R. 1045, the Utah Wildfire Research Institute Act of 2025, introduced by U.S. Rep. Mike Kennedy (R-Utah), establishes a wildfire research center in Utah, providing the state with additional resources to conduct research and collaborate on wildfire mitigation, forest management, and watershed restoration projects.

H.R. 2400, the Pit River Land Transfer Act of 2025, as amended, introduced by U.S. Rep. Doug LaMalfa (R-Calif.), would place approximately 584 acres of U.S. Forest Service (USFS) land, commonly referred to as the "Four Corners," into trust for the Pit River Tribe.

H.R. 2815, the Cape Fox Land Entitlement Finalization Act of 2025, as amended, introduced by U.S. Rep. Nick Begich, conveys 180 acres to the Cape Fox Corporation to streamline land access and management, which will allow new power production capacity to be brought online.

H.R. 2876, the University of Utah Research Park Act, introduced by U.S. Rep. Blake Moore (R-Utah), would affirm the current uses of approximately 593 acres of land in Salt Lake City, Utah, currently owned by the University of Utah, allowing existing operations to continue, and enabling future plans for improved walkability, student housing, and new laboratories.

H.R. 3176, To amend the John D. Dingell, Jr. Conservation, Management, and Recreation Act to reauthorize the National Volcano Early Warning and Monitoring System, introduced by U.S. Rep. Nick Begich (R-Alaska), reauthorizes the National Volcano Early Warning and Monitoring System (NVEWS), which monitors the most active and hazardous volcanoes to give ample time to evacuate the communities in the areas surrounding these volcanoes.

H.R. 3187, To require the Secretary of Agriculture to convey a parcel of property of the Forest Service to Perry County, Arkansas, and for other purposes, as amended, introduced by U.S. Rep. French Hill (R-Ark.), directs the Secretary of Agriculture to convey a vacant USFS building and the surrounding 0.81 acres of land to Perry County, Arkansas. This legislation removes a liability from the American taxpayer by disposing of a vacant federal building, consistent with President Trump's Executive Order on "Restoring Common Sense to Federal Office Space Management."

H.R. 3620, the Southcentral Foundation Land Transfer Act of 2025, introduced by U.S. Rep. Nick Begich, would transfer ownership of approximately 3.4 acres of federal land in Anchorage, Alaska, to the Southcentral Foundation (SCF) for the provision of health and social services programs.

H.R. 3872, Mineral Extraction for Renewable Industry and Critical Applications Act of 2025, as amended, introduced by U.S. Rep. Pat Fallon (R-Texas), clarifies that all federally acquired lands under the Mineral Leasing Act for Acquired Lands are eligible to be considered for hardrock mineral leasing.

H.R. 972, the Sloan Canyon Conservation and Lateral Pipeline Act, introduced by U.S. Rep. Dina Titus (D-Nev.), grants authority to the Southern Nevada Water Authority (SNWA) for the construction of a water pipeline project in the Sloan Canyon National Conservation Area (NCA).

H.R. 1098, To reauthorize the Junior Duck Stamp Conservation and Design Program Act of 1994, as amended, introduced by U.S. Rep. Hillary Scholten, would reauthorize funding for the Junior Duck Stamp Conservation and Design Program through 2031. This program encourages children to learn about conservation practices and provides an opportunity for increased participation in outdoor activities.