May 23, 2025

Barbed Wire   |   federal issues   |   water quality EPA Reinforces Alignment of Clean Water Act Section 401 with “Powering the Great American Comeback” Initiative

On May 22, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a memorandum clarifying the specific and limited role of States and Tribes in the federal licensing and permitting processes under Section 401 of the Clean Water Act (CWA). The EPA reiterates its position that States and Tribes must utilize Section 401 only for its statutory purpose – to protect water quality

May 23, 2025

Barbed Wire   |   federal issues U.S. Senate Votes to Rescind Three California Clean Air Act Waivers, Governor Newsom Responds

On May 22, the U.S. Senate passed three Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolutions to revoke waivers that allow California to adopt tougher vehicle emission standards than the national standard

May 16, 2025

Barbed Wire   |   federal issues U.S. House Passes Fire Safe Electrical Corridors Act

On May 13, the House passed the bipartisan Fire Safe Electrical Corridors Act (H.R. 2492) by voice vote. This bill would allow the U.S. Forest Service to

May 16, 2025

Barbed Wire   |   federal budget   |   federal issues House Agriculture Committee Advances SRS Reauthorization by way of Reconciliation Bill

On May 14, the House Agriculture Committee voted 29-25 along party lines to advance its reconciliation bill. While the measure contains many impactful provisions, perhaps the most notable is the inclusion of reauthorization language for the Secure Rural Schools (SRS) program. Until now, SRS reauthorization has been stalled in the House of Representatives, despite significant bipartisan support in the Senate

May 08, 2025

Barbed Wire   |   federal issues USDA to Expedite $21 Billion in Previously Approved Disaster Assistance

On May 7, USDA Secretary Rollins announced plans to expedite the distribution of $21 billion in Congressionally-appropriated disaster assistance for farmers and ranchers impacted by recent natural disasters

May 08, 2025

Barbed Wire   |   federal issues U.S. Forest Service Testifies in Support of Fix Our Forests Act

On May 6, Acting Associate Chief of the Forest Service, Christopher French, testified before the Senate Agriculture Committee during its legislative hearing on the bipartisan Fix Our Forests Act, which aims to reduce catastrophic wildfire risk and improve forest health through expanded management tools and interagency coordination

May 02, 2025

Barbed Wire   |   federal issues House Votes to Overturn California-Specific Environmental Waivers and Rules

This week, the House passed four Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolutions addressing environmental waivers and rules issued during the Biden administration, each tied to California-specific standards or policy

Apr 25, 2025

Barbed Wire   |   federal issues USDA Announces Disaster Assistance Funding Available to Rural Communities Impacted by Recent Disasters

On April 22, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins announced $340.6 million in U.S. Department of Agriculture disaster assistance to deliver relief to farmers, ranchers and rural communities impacted by natural disasters

Apr 25, 2025

Barbed Wire   |   federal issues Congress Members Urge FEMA to Restore BRIC Grant Program

Last week, Representatives Mike Thompson (D-St. Helena) and Seth Moulton (D-MA) led a letter with 26 other representatives opposing FEMA’s decision to terminate funding under the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program and urging

Apr 25, 2025

Barbed Wire   |   federal issues DOI Implements Emergency Permitting Procedures to Strengthen Domestic Energy Supply

In response to President Trump’s declaration of a National Energy Emergency, the U.S. Department of the Interior will implement emergency permitting procedures to accelerate the development of domestic energy resources and critical minerals. These measures are designed