Rep. Nick LaLota (R-Suffolk County) issued the following statement after voting to pass the Fix Our Forests Act, which includes his provision to address the southern pine beetle infestation impacting Long Island’s Pine Barrens, a 55,000-acre nature preserve in Suffolk County, NY. LaLota’s provision reiterates his successful Fix the Forest Act amendment from the previous Congress, calling for a comprehensive study of the causes, effects, and potential solutions for pine beetle outbreaks in the Northeastern United States.
Amid recent droughts and brushfires across Long Island, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has cautioned that the beetle’s damage to the Pine Barrens has generated fuel for potential wildfires.
“The Fix Our Forests Act takes crucial steps to stop the southern pine beetle from ravaging the Pine Barrens and worsening Suffolk County’s wildfire threat. We cannot let Long Island become a tinderbox like the wildfires devastating Los Angeles,” said LaLota. “The Brookhaven Blaze of 2012 scorched 1,100 acres and forced over 1,000 families to evacuate. Protecting our forests isn’t just about conservation—it’s about keeping our communities safe. We must act now to preserve the Pine Barrens, strengthen our natural defenses, and ensure a healthier, more resilient future.”
To read the full text of the Fix Our Forests Act, click HERE.
Background:
The Fix Our Forests Act would streamline National Environmental Policy Act regulations to reduce wildfire risk, improve forest management, enhance ecological resilience, and support rural economies. Furthermore, this legislation would mandate a comprehensive study of the causes, effects, and potential solutions for the pine beetle outbreaks in the Northeastern United States. This study would inform targeted actions to mitigate the impact of these pests on forest ecosystems.
In September 2024, LaLota’s amendment to the Fix Our Forests Act successfully passed, directing the Secretary of Agriculture to conduct this same study, underscoring the critical need to address the threats posed by the southern pine beetle to vital habitats and natural resources. The bill passed the House in November.
Between October and November 2024, more than 200 brush fires broke out across Suffolk County.
The Pine Barrens, crucial for preserving clean drinking water and home to endangered species, have suffered significant damage from the pine beetle infestation.