San Bernardino is seeking a more aggressive stance on wildfire prevention, and Chief Dan Munsey is leading the charge in Congress. Munsey, head of the San Bernardino County Fire Protection District, recently testified before federal lawmakers, endorsing the Restoring Our Unopened Trails for Enjoyment and Safety (ROUTES) Act, a move that could change the game for local fire management. The testimony, geared towards aiding County Fire in tackling the incessant threat of wildfires and the chaos they leave behind, took place on Jan. 31.
"It has been frustrating to watch fires get bigger," Munsey told Congress, emphasizing the need for local resources to partner with the federal government in halting these disasters. He argues that the ROUTES Act is a step in the right direction for the 66 communities he represents. These areas, comprising 80 percent of federal land, need improved access to manage and preempt emergencies effectively, according to his testimony.
Central to the ROUTES Act is its provision to bypass certain environmental review procedures under the National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA) for restorative acts like debris clearing and infrastructure repairs post-disaster. This exception could streamline crucial responses in the wake of natural calamities on federal land, clearing the path for more timely and efficient actions in the wilderness that cradles San Bernardino County.
Chief Munsey’s engagement with the Federal Lands Subcommittee wasn't his only agenda in Washington. He also lobbied for federal dollars to support fire and emergency services within the federal terrains of San Bernardino. His testimony begins one hour and 10 minutes into the committee’s YouTube channel broadcast, which interested viewers can find on the committee's page for a closer look at the proceedings, as reported by San Bernardino County.
