South Asheville News

Congressman Chuck Edwards (NC-11) introduced the Civilian Conservation Center Enhancement Act to direct the U.S. Department of Agriculture to offer specialized wildland firefighter training to Job Corps Civilian Conservation Center (CCC) students.

Edwards is joined by three original cosponsors: Congresswoman Andrea Salinas (OR-06), Congressman Brett Guthrie (KY-02) and Congresswoman Val Hoyle (OR-04).

Edwards released the following statement:

“Western North Carolina is home to three Civilian Conservation Centers, and the Civilian Conservation Center Enhancement Act will provide another avenue for young folks in our district to finish their high school education and go through training that prepares them for a meaningful career,” said Edwards. “By offering specialized training and helping to obtain employment through our CCCs, this bipartisan bill will be a boon to job creation and increase our forestry and wildland firefighter workforce through students graduating from the Schenk, Oconaluftee and Lyndon B. Johnson CCCs, and CCCs all over the country.”

“Every year, Oregon’s wildfire season becomes more dangerous and deadly with the climate crisis exacerbating the conditions that spark these blazes,” said Rep. Salinas. “As our planet continues to warm and devastating fires become more routine, it’s imperative for the Forest Service to recruit, train, and retain skilled wildland firefighters who can help protect our communities. That’s why I’m proud to introduce the Civilian Conservation Center Enhancement Act, which would break down barriers that prevent the Forest Service from adequately expanding its wildland firefighting capacity. Now more than ever, we need all hands on deck.”

“In Kentucky and across the U.S., it’s important to have specialized firefighters, who can improve forestry management, prevent wildfires, and address wildfires when they occur,” said Rep. Guthrie. “I’m proud to support specialized wildland firefighter training at Great Onyx Job Corps and other Job Corps Civilian Conservation Centers. Strengthening the workforce of brave wildland firefighters is critical to protecting people and their homes and businesses from devastating wildfires.”

“The Forest Service needs help to tackle its project backlog and combat wildfires. I’m proud to co-lead the Civilian Conservation Center Enhancement Act with Rep. Salinas, Rep. Edwards, and Rep. Guthrie to increase specialized job training for wildland fire and forestry at Job Corps Civilian Conservation Centers, like the one in Yachats, Oregon,” said Rep. Hoyle. “This bill will give Job Corps students the knowledge and skills they need to work in our national forests, and it will make it easier for them to secure good-paying jobs when they graduate.”

The Civilian Conservation Center Enhancement Act would:

• Direct the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) to offer and pilot specialized training for wildland fire, forestry and rangeland management at CCCs.
• Direct the USFS to conduct an assessment of workforce needs at public land agencies and related industries to determine necessary curriculum, develop marketing and recruitment materials, and provide specialized staff.
• Set a goal for the USFS to hire 300 CCC graduates each per year into wildland firefighter or other critical workforce needs and allow the agencies to offer signing bonus to graduates.
• Provide a direct hire authority to the USFS for graduates of CCC programs, and direct both agencies to identify career pathways for graduates.
• Clarify the USFS’s authority to pay students at CCC for work they do to improve federal lands.
• Create a pilot program to deploy CCC students to repair or construct workforce housing for wildland firefighters and other agency employees.

Click here to read the full text of the legislation.

Original source can be found here.