HomeMy WebLinkAbout_4.1(a)--Ratify Letter of Support for HR 1586
CITY OF REDDING
REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
Recommendation
Approve and ratify the letter signed by the Mayor in support of HR 1586, Forest Protection and
Wildland Firefighter Safety Act of 2023, which provides a Clean Water Act exemption to the
usage of fire retardant to fight wildfires.
Fiscal Impact
There is no direct fiscal impact on the General Fund as a result of sending the attached letter.
Alternative Action
The City Council could decline to ratify the letter signed by the Mayor, and staff would rescind
the letter of support.
Background/Analysis
United States Congressman Doug LaMalfa along with Congressman Jimmy Panetta, introduced
HR 1586 – Forest Protection and Wildland Firefighter Safety Act of 2023. The use of fire
retardant is a vital tool used by firefighters to battle wildfires. Providing a Clean Water Act
exemption so that federal, state, local, and tribal firefighting agencies can continue to use
retardant is necessary to keep this tool available. Retardant slows the spread of fire, protects
homes, infrastructure, and communities by creating a boundary line of attack for fire crews. To
meet the urgent deadline of review of the legislation, t he attached letter has already been sent to
Congressman LaMalfa expressing the City of Redding’s support of HR 1586.
Environmental Review
This is not a project as defined under the California Environmental Quality Act, and therefore no
further action is required.
MEETING DATE: April 4, 2023
ITEM NO. 4.1(a)
FROM:
***APPROVED BY***
btippin@cityofredding.org
btippin@cityofredding.org
SUBJECT: 4.1(a)--Ratify Letter of Support for HR 1586
Barry Tippin, City Manager
Report to Redding City Council March 24, 2023
Re: 4.1(a)--Ratify Letter of Support for HR 1586 Page 2
Council Priority/City Manager Goals
• Government of the 21st Century – “Be relevant and proactive to the opportunities and
challenges of today’s residents and workforce. Anticipate the future to make better
decisions today.”
• Economic Development – “Facilitate and become a catalyst for economic development
in Redding to create jobs, retain current businesses and attract new ones, and encourage
investment in the community.”
Attachments
^Letter of Support - HR 1586
Michael Dacquisto, Mayor
mdacquisto@cityofredding.org
530.225.4447
March 21, 2023
The Honorable Doug LaMalfa
U.S. House of Representatives
408 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Re: Support - HR 1586, Forest Protection and Wildland Firefighter Safety Act of 2023
Dear Congressman LaMalfa,
We are pleased to announce the City of Redding’s support for HR 1586, Forest Protection and Wildland
Firefighter Safety Act of 2023. We appreciate your leadership on this critical issue and that the legislation has
strong bipartisan support.
The use of retardant is a vital tool that our firefighters need to have at their disposal. Providing a Clean Water
Act exemption so that federal, state, local, and tribal firefighting agencies can continue to use fire retardant is
necessary to keep this tool available. Our fire-prone communities are at risk every year from the threat of
wildfire. It is critical for the survival of our communities, forests, and the safety of fire crew members to
utilize retardant when deemed necessary. We have seen time and again, using retardant slows the spread of
fire, protect homes, infrastructure, and communities by creating a boundary line of attack for fire crews.
It is imperative that we maintain our ability to fight wildfires effectively. Limiting firefighting agencies’
ability to slow fires will harm forest conservation, endangered species protection, historic site preservation,
and our mission to protect nearby residents.
Whether dropped from a plane, sprayed from a tanker truck, or hand applied by private homeowners, retardant
is a tool that keeps our communities safe and our watersheds from being destroyed by damaging catastrophic
wildfires. In the wildland-urban interface, we need this tool to protect critical infrastructure and human life.
We support your efforts on HR 1586. For any questions, please contact City of Redding City Manager Barry
Tippin at (530)225-4060 or via electronic mail: btippin@cityofredding.org. Thank you for your
consideration.
Sincerely,
Michael P. Dacquisto
Mayor
City of Redding