The Mule Deer Foundation Supports Bipartisan Legislation to Strengthen and Expedite Emergency Restoration Actions Post Natural Disasters

Clearfield, UT – March 28, 2025 – The Mule Deer Foundation (MDF) strongly supports the newly introduced bipartisan legislation led by U.S. Senators John Curtis (R-UT) and Michael Bennet (D-CO), which seeks to enhance and expedite emergency watershed recovery efforts in the wake of natural disasters such as wildfires, floods, and other catastrophic events. These bills, the Making Access to Cleanup Happen (MATCH) Act and the Watershed Protection and Forestry Recovery Act, are vital to preserving the health of our western landscapes and ensuring the resilience of communities that depend on these natural resources.

“The Mule Deer Foundation is excited about the benefits of fast actions on landscape restoration activities to local communities and to the enhancement of mule deer and other wildlife populations,” said Greg Sheehan, President and CEO of the Mule Deer Foundation. “The MATCH Act and Watershed Protection and Forestry Recovery Act empower local communities to act swiftly in protecting vital wildlife habitats. These bills will help ensure that the devastating effects of unpredictable natural events like wildfires and floods don’t further harm our wildlife, and we applaud Senators Curtis and Bennet for their leadership which will jump start restoration.”

The MATCH Act removes bureaucratic obstacles that often delay emergency watershed protection efforts by allowing states, tribes, and local governments to begin recovery measures immediately and facilitate coordination before a formal federal agreement is signed. This ensures a rapid response to natural disasters, helping to protect the landscapes and water resources essential to both communities and wildlife.

“These bills will reduce red tape and help ensure that recovery efforts reach the areas that need it most quickly after the event which is crucial to restoration efforts,” said Steve Belinda, Chief Conservation Officer of the Mule Deer Foundation. “Restoring these landscapes not only protects our environment but strengthens the habitats that mule deer and other species rely on for survival. With more immediate recovery actions, we can improve the resilience of our ecosystems, prevent noxious weeds and fire risk, and mitigate the long-term impacts of these devastating disasters.”

The Watershed Protection and Forestry Recovery Act establishes a new Emergency Forest Watershed Program to fund recovery efforts on U.S. Forest Service lands, focusing on restoring ecosystems damaged by wildfires and floods. The bill ensures that recovery projects are completed within two years, providing much-needed protection to downstream water resources and wildlife habitats.

The Mule Deer Foundation encourages Congress to pass these important bills, which will significantly benefit wildlife, communities, and landscapes across the American West.

For more information about the Mule Deer Foundation and our efforts to protect wildlife habitat, visit www.muledeer.org.