October 16, 2022 - Last week, Congressman Kevin McCarthy, Congressman Bruce Westerman (AR-04), Congressman Scott Peters (CA-52), Congressman David Valadao (CA-21), and Congressman Jimmy Panetta (CA-20) responded to the National Park Service’s (NPS) announcement that Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks will take emergency actions designed to protect Giant Sequoias from catastrophic wildfire. This decision comes on the heels of the introduction of the bipartisan Save Our Sequoias (SOS) Act – introduced in May – to protect these natural wonders. The bill currently has over 50 co-sponsors.

U.S. Forest Service Trucks in Giant Grove Parking Lot  Credit: USFWS

McCarthy, Westerman, Peters, Valadao, and Panetta released the following statement:

"After visiting the Giant Sequoias earlier this year and seeing wildfire devastation firsthand, we introduced the bipartisan Save Our Sequoias Act to protect these iconic trees before those fires even begin. Our legislation would declare an emergency in the Giant Sequoia groves and equip NPS officials with essential management tools to proactively and comprehensively make Giant Sequoias more resilient against future wildfires. We are pleased the NPS is administratively implementing part of the SOS Act with today’s announcement. However, protecting Giant Sequoias from fires cannot be piecemeal, which is why we will continue to work to advance the comprehensive SOS Act in the House, building on the momentum of these commonsense actions."

Background

Despite the looming threat to the remaining Giant Sequoias, federal land managers have not been able to increase the pace and scale of treatments necessary to restore Giant Sequoia resiliency to wildfires, insects and drought. Today's announcement helps change that trajectory by activating emergency authority to streamline NEPA reviews.

The Save Our Sequoias (SOS) Act is a comprehensive bill that would provide land managers with several other emergency tools and resources needed to save the remaining ancient wonders from the unprecedented peril threatening their long-term survival. The bill would:

1. Enhance coordination between federal, state, tribal and local land managers through shared stewardship agreements and the codification of the Giant Sequoia Lands Coalition, a partnership among current Giant Sequoia managers.
2. Create a Giant Sequoia Health and Resiliency Assessment to prioritize wildfire risk reduction treatments in the highest-risk groves and track the progress of scientific forest management activities.
3. Declare an emergency to streamline and expedite environmental reviews and consultations while maintaining robust scientific analysis.
4. Provide new authority to the National Park Foundation and National Forest Foundation to accept private donations to facilitate Giant Sequoia restoration and resiliency.
5. Establish a comprehensive reforestation strategy to regenerate Giant Sequoias in areas destroyed by recent catastrophic wildfires.
   Source: Congressman Kevin McCarthy
   

   Related: Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks Taking Emergency Action To Protect Giant Sequoias