H.R. 5729: North Rim Restoration Act of 2025

The North Rim Restoration Act of 2025 is a proposed bill aimed at providing a framework for the recovery efforts following the Dragon Bravo Fire, which impacted areas within the Grand Canyon National Park. The bill grants specific emergency contracting authorities to the Secretary of the Interior, allowing for expedited processes related to rebuilding and maintenance in the affected area.

Key Provisions of the Bill

• Emergency Contracting Authority: The Secretary of the Interior can use emergency acquisition flexibilities to contract for various services necessary for recovery. This includes:
  • Forest management or restoration activities addressing the effects of the Dragon Bravo Fire.
  • Rebuilding, planning, and designing structures that were damaged.
  • Improvements to both grounds and structures within the affected area.
  • General recovery efforts related to the fire.
• Reporting Requirements: The Secretary must provide detailed reports every 180 days after initiating contracting under this authority. Reports will include:
  • Expected costs of recovery efforts.
  • Actual expenditures and any cost overruns.
  • A list of contractors involved.
  • Information on any potential conflicts of interest.
  • Detection of any waste, fraud, or abuse in the recovery process.
  • Contracts that were less expensive than anticipated.
  • Estimates for project completion times.
  • Requests for extensions if recovery efforts are hindered by new wildfires.
• Duration of Authority: The contracting authority granted by this bill will expire five years after enactment or when recovery efforts are deemed complete, whichever comes first.
• Extensions: If another wildfire occurs in the area, the Secretary can request a 12-month extension of the emergency authority, which requires congressional approval.

Definitions

• Covered Area: Refers to all areas within the Grand Canyon National Park that were affected by the Dragon Bravo Fire.
• Secretary: Designates the Secretary of the Interior, who operates through the Director of the National Park Service to manage these efforts.

Purpose and Goals

The main goal of this legislation is to streamline and facilitate the recovery processes necessary for restoring the damaged areas of the Grand Canyon National Park. By providing emergency contracting capability, the bill aims to ensure that recovery can occur efficiently and effectively, reducing the time needed to restore natural habitats and visitor facilities impacted by the fire.

Relevant Companies

• None found