WASHINGTON — The U.S. Senate has unanimously passed legislation from Nebraska Senator Deb Fischer aimed at speeding disaster relief for agricultural producers impacted by wildfires.
Fischer said her Emergency Conservation Program Improvement Act would help farmers and ranchers get faster access to federal assistance through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Emergency Conservation Program and Emergency Forest Restoration Program.
The measure comes as Nebraska deals with what Fischer called the worst wildfires in state history. According to her office, more than 800,000 acres have burned statewide, destroying grasslands, fences, and other agricultural resources.
In remarks on the Senate floor, Fischer said producers face major recovery challenges in the weeks and months ahead, including rebuilding fences, adjusting grazing plans, and reworking entire seasons of agricultural operations.
Her bill is designed to speed up federal cost-sharing after disasters and give producers more flexibility when carrying out restoration work. It would also allow eligible producers to receive an advance on cost-sharing relief based on existing USDA estimates, helping them begin repairs sooner.
Fischer said the legislation was developed in response to feedback from producers affected by previous wildfires, and argued the current system can be too slow and burdensome when families are trying to recover.
The bill would also broaden wildfire eligibility for relief to include fires caused or spread by natural causes, as well as those caused by the federal government.