An Arizona congressman included language to expedite White Sage Fire recovery in the Farm Bill that has passed the U.S. House.
The provision was included in an amendment sponsored by Arizona Republican Rep. Eli Crane.
It would grant the U.S. Forest Service emergency contracting authority to help expedite recovery efforts. The White Sage Fire burned close to 60,000 acres in northern Arizona last year.
The measure is modeled after legislation passed by the House in March to speed up restoration projects following the Dragon Bravo Fire, which burned on the Grand Canyon’s North Rim last summer.
The U.S. Senate still needs to vote on both bills.
