Mark describes himself as a Christian, husband, father, and rancher. He goes on to say, my wife, Cyndi and I ranch in Siskiyou County. Those are the things I am most grateful for!

• Vietnam veteran. Helicopter door gunner.
• Airline transport pilot 25 years flying 747s, and DC-10s all over the world in both civilian and military support roles, passengers, and cargo. During CRAF, (Civilian Reserve Aircraft Fleet) operations we flew to conflicts all over the Middle East, Eastern Europe, Africa, and other places. Seven years' experience flying a DC-10 Very Large Air Tanker fighting wildfires all over the United States, Chile, and Australia. Over 23,000 flight hours.
• Ten years' experience as a Reserve Sheriff’s Deputy involved in drug interdiction team operations against organized crime drug production facilities. I am now a member of the Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Posse. Posse activities include support roles during drug interdiction operations, wildfire emergency response, natural disaster emergency response, community outreach and education.

H.R.1586 - Forest Protection and Wildland Firefighter Safety Act of 2023​

Sponsor: Rep. LaMalfa, Doug [R-CA-1] (Introduced 03/14/2023)
Committees: House - Transportation and Infrastructure; Natural Resources; Agriculture
Committee Meetings: 05/17/23 10:00AM 03/23/23 2:00PM
Latest Action: House - 04/05/2023 Referred to the Subcommittee on Forestry. (All Actions)

118th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 1586
To allow the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture to use a fire retardant, chemical, or water for fire suppression, control, or prevention activities.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
March 14, 2023 Mr. LaMalfa (for himself, Mr. Panetta, Mr. Newhouse, Mr. Fulcher, Mr. Austin Scott of Georgia, Mr. McClintock, Mrs. Radewagen, Mr. Nehls, Mrs. Boebert, Mr. Crawford, Mrs. Kim of California, Mr. Zinke, Mr. Garamendi, Mr. Moore of Utah, Mr. Owens, Mr. Simpson, Mr. Kelly of Mississippi, Mr. Calvert, Mr. Stauber, Mr. Issa, Mrs. Miller of Illinois, Mr. Kiley, Mr. Rosendale, Mr. Costa, and Ms. Hageman) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committees on Natural Resources, and Agriculture, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned

A BILL To allow the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture to use a fire retardant, chemical, or water for fire suppression, control, or prevention activities.
​
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the “Forest Protection and Wildland Firefighter Safety Act of 2023”.

SEC. 2. PERMITTING REQUIREMENTS FOR CERTAIN DISCHARGES OF FIRE RETARDANT.

(a) Authorized Uses.—The Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture are each authorized to discharge a fire retardant, chemical, or water for fire suppression, control, or prevention activities.

(b) Permitting Requirements.—Notwithstanding any provision of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1251 et seq.), a permit under section 402 of such Act (33 U.S.C. 1342) shall not be required for the activities authorized by subsection (a) or for similar activities conducted by a covered entity.

(c) Definition.—In this section, the term “covered entity” means--
(1) the Forest Service;
(2) the National Park Service;
(3) the Bureau of Land Management;
(4) the United States Fish and Wildlife Service;
(5) the Bureau of Indian Affairs;
(6) the Federal Emergency Management Agency;
(7) a State or a political subdivision thereof; or
(8) a Tribal government.

30 co-sponsors as of 5/13/23
follow the bill at H.R.1586 - 118th Congress (2023-2024): Forest Protection and Wildland Firefighter Safety Act of 2023 | Congress.gov | Library of Congress