WASHINGTON, D.C. — A bill by Rep. Doug LaMalfa (R-Richvale) to keep aerial fire retardant available during wildfire response passed the House on Thursday as part of the PERMIT Act. LaMalfa introduced the Forest Protection and Wildland Firefighter Safety Act after a 2023 court ruling concluded the U.S. Forest Service needed Clean Water Act permits for retardant drops. The decision raised the possibility of delays and conflicting requirements for federal, state, local and tribal firefighting agencies. The bill would shield retardant use from years-long permitting processes and remove uncertainty created by litigation. The Forest Service has described retardant as a key tool for slowing fast-moving fires and supporting ground operations. The measure now heads to the Senate. …“Aerially delivered long-term fire retardant is an essential tool the Forest Service and the interagency wildfire response community use in support of ground-based firefighting resources,” said Tom Schultz, U.S. Forest Service Chief.