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Read. Follow. Verify.Hearing on National Forest Infrastructure Maintenance Backlog
Record date · January 1, 2020
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What This Bill Does
The House Subcommittee on Conservation and Forestry held a hearing to address the $5.2 billion maintenance backlog for National Forest infrastructure, including roads, bridges, and dams. The committee discussed how rising wild have diverted funds away from essential infrastructure repairs, impacting public access and community services.
The U.S. Forest Service faces a $5.2 billion maintenance backlog that affects the safety and accessibility of roads, water systems, and recreational facilities used by 140 million annual visitors and 66 million Americans who rely on these lands for water services.
Who It Affects
Groups the bill's text affects, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
National Forest visitors
140 million annual visitors face potential safety and access issues due to the maintenance backlog.
Local communities near National Forests
3,000 communities rely on Forest Service infrastructure for water services and daily transportation needs.
U.S. Forest Service
The agency must manage a $5.2 billion maintenance backlog while balancing emergency wildfire suppression costs.
Key Facts
- The National Forest System has a deferred maintenance backlog totaling $5.2 billion.
- Recreation on Forest Service land contributes over $10 billion annually to the U.S. economy.
- Forest Service recreation supports more than 143,000 full-time and part-time jobs.
- 66 million Americans across 3,000 communities rely on Forest Service infrastructure for drinking water and wastewater services.
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- Over 140 million people visit National Forest lands annually.
- Rising wildfire suppression costs have forced the agency to divert funds from non-fire accounts to address emergency fire needs.
- Forest Service infrastructure includes roads, trails, bridges, dams, and other facilities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the National Forest infrastructure in disrepair?
How many people rely on Forest Service infrastructure for water?
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News Coverage
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Discoveries
Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.
Budgetary Strain from Wildfires
The document highlights a structural pattern where emergency wildfire costs consistently cannibalize the budget for routine infrastructure maintenance.
Connected Entities
Sources
www.govinfo.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance80How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy20Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment10Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz15Current news / social attention level
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