Contact Congress about H.R. 471: Fix Our Forests Act

Federal agencies would move faster on wildfire prevention projects in the riskiest forest areas. The bill also changes review rules, grant access, utility vegetation work, restoration programs, and support for firefighters’ families.

Modern Action explains legislation in plain English, helps you choose whether to support, oppose, or ask for changes, and drafts a message tied to the bill, your stance, and the elected officials who can act on it.

Fix Our Forests Act is a Senate bill awaiting final action. The latest recorded action: Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Subcommittee on Conservation, Forestry, Natural Resources, and Biotechnology. Hearings held. With printed Hearing: S.Hrg. 119-27.

Latest action on H.R. 471: Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Subcommittee on Conservation, Forestry, Natural Resources, and Biotechnology. Hearings held. With printed Hearing: S.Hrg. 119-27.

Who this affects: This bill mainly affects people and places at high risk from wildfire. It also affects federal land agencies, Tribes, states, local governments, utilities, environmental groups, forestry contractors, and wildland firefighters’ families.

Why this matters: Wildfires now threaten more homes, water supplies, wildlife habitat, and power systems. This bill tries to reduce that risk by speeding up forest work in the places agencies see as most dangerous. The tradeoff is that faster action can mean less time for review, lawsuits, and public objections. The real impact would depend on agency choices, court decisions, local conditions, and future funding from Congress.

Key provisions in H.R. 471

• Federal agencies would name the highest-risk fireshed management areas and update them regularly. They would also have to carry out large wildfire risk projects in those areas.
• The bill creates a Fireshed Center across federal agencies. It also creates a public Fireshed Registry website with maps, risk data, project status, and permit timelines.
• Agencies would not need NEPA review to name fireshed areas or do fireshed assessments. NEPA is the federal law that requires agencies to study environmental effects.
• Governors and Tribes could ask for shared-stewardship agreements. Those agreements would include joint fireshed assessments and could lead to new fireshed areas.
• Fireshed projects could include thinning trees, fuel breaks, removing dangerous trees, spraying, re-seeding, grazing, and other work tied to local wildfire plans.

How Modern Action helps you take action on H.R. 471

You do not have to start with a blank letter. Modern Action turns the bill, your position, and the relevant congressional context into a message you can edit and send. The goal is to make contacting Congress clear, specific, and useful without forcing you to parse bill text or figure out the right office on your own.

Questions people ask about H.R. 471

What is H.R. 471?

Federal agencies would move faster on wildfire prevention projects in the riskiest forest areas. The bill also changes review rules, grant access, utility vegetation work, restoration programs, and support for firefighters’ families.

How do I support or oppose H.R. 471?

Choose support, oppose, or ask for changes on Modern Action. The action flow drafts the message for you and keeps the wording tied to this bill.

Who should I contact about H.R. 471?

Modern Action uses your location to route the action to the congressional offices relevant to the bill and your representation.

Can Modern Action explain H.R. 471 before I act?

Yes. Modern Action gives you a plain-English summary, current status, and action context before you send anything.