PUBLIC LAW 101-286—MAY 9, 1990 104 STAT. 171 Public Law 101-286 101st Congress An Act To provide for the establishment of the National Commission on Wildfire Disasters, to provide for increased planning and cooperation with local firefighting forces in the event of forest fires, and for other purposes. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. This Act may be cited as the "Wildfire Disaster Recovery Act of 1989". TITLE I—NATIONAL COMMISSION ON WILDFIRE DISASTERS SEC. 101. FINDINGS AND POLICY. (a) FINDINGS.—Congress finds that— (1) the natural fire disasters that occurred in 1987 and 1988 in Western and Southeastern States burned nearly seven and onehalf million acres of Federal, State, and private land; (2) these fires have altered the ability of Federal Government agencies to effectively manage the lands for timber production, fish and wildlife habitation, watershed, and recreation for future use by the American public; and (3) the communities in and surrounding the areas affected by the fires have suffered economic and social losses. (b) PoucY. —It is hereby declared to be the policy of Congress to respond to these disasters and prepare for potential disasters by reviewing the effect of these disasters on natural resources and on the financial and cultural aspects of the affected communities and by adopting such policies as are needed to assist in an effective and efficient recovery of those communities. SEC. 102. NATIONAL COMMISSION ON WILDFIRE DISASTERS. (a) ESTABLISHMENT.— T here is hereby established a National Commission on Wildfire Disasters (hereafter referred to as the "Commission") which shall study the effects of disastrous wildfires, resulting from natural or other causes, and make recommendations concerning the steps necessary for a smooth and timely transition from the loss of natural resources due to such fires. (b) COMPOSITION. —(1) The Commission shall be composed of 25 members. Thirteen members shall be appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture with at least one from each of the following groups: the timber industry, nonindustrial private forest landowners. State or local officials, employees of the Department of Agriculture, scientists from the academic community, wildlife biologists, members of private nonprofit forestry organizations, members of environmental organizations, and community leaders. Twelve members shall be appointed by the Secretary of the Interior, with at least one from each of the following groups: State or local officials, employees of the Department of the Interior, scientists from the academic May 9, 1990 [H.R. 1011] Wildfire Disaster Recovery Act of 1989. Forests and forest products. National Forest System. National parks, monuments, etc. Public lands. 16 USC 551 note. 16 USC 551 note.
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