South OC Times

Today, Congressman Darrell Issa introduced the Green Tape Elimination Act (GTEA) in Washington, D.C. This legislation aims to exempt hazardous fuel reduction activities on federal lands from environmental regulations for a period of ten years. The goal is to allow firefighters more flexibility in clearing brush, cutting shrubs, and employing other methods to prevent future fires.

"For years, environmental rules have become regulatory ‘green tape’ — locking in dangerous conditions and contradicting common sense reforms," said Rep. Issa. “That’s why this is no time for tinkering around the edges. We can’t wait for the next deadly disaster."

The GTEA specifically targets six major federal environmental regulations: the National Environmental Policy Act, the Endangered Species Act, the National Historic Preservation Act, the Clean Air Act, the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, and the Migratory Bird Conservation Act. These exemptions are intended to facilitate wildfire fuel mitigation activities such as removing flammable vegetative material and creating firebreaks on all federal lands.

Earlier today, Fox News featured an exclusive story about the Green Tape Elimination Act.

Darrell Issa represents California’s 48th Congressional District which includes central and eastern San Diego County and parts of Riverside County. His district covers communities such as Fallbrook, Valley Center, Ramona, Escondido, Santee, Lakeside, Poway, Temecula, Murrieta as well as mountain and desert areas along the San Diego-Imperial County line. From 2011 to 2015, Issa served as Chairman of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.