A bill signed into law last week by President Bush allows tribes to receive federal money to thin federal forests.

The Tribal Forest Protection Act is a bipartisan measure introduced in the wake of last year's deadly fires in California when blazes that started on federal law spread to reservations, causing significant damage. Tribes in California testified in favor of the legislation.

The bill authorizes tribes and the U.S. Forest Service to enter into contacts to thin and treat forest lands.

Get the Story:
New law to let tribes expand tree-thinning (AP 7/24)

Get the Bill:
Tribal Forest Protection Act of 2004 (Public Law No. 108-278)

Related Stories:
Tribal forest bill subject of House hearing (4/21)
Bill introduced to allow tribes to thin federal forests (02/27)
Norton touts tribal participation in forest initiative (02/09)
Norton distributing wildlife grants to tribes (01/27)
Bark beetle poses problem for tribal forests (05/21)