Representative Eli Crane's (R-AZ) North Rim Restoration Act has unanimously passed out of the House Natural Resources Committee, and he hopes to get it on the House floor ahead of the Grand Canyon National Park's summer season.
As Cactus Politics previously reported, Rep. Crane's North Rim Restoration Act of 2025 gives the National Park Service emergency contracting authority for forest management, maintenance, rebuilding, and infrastructure improvements, thereby bypassing federal red tape and speeding up recovery work in the wake of the devastating Dragon Bravo Fire in July.
"Today, the North Rim Restoration Act of 2025 cleared a major hurdle in the lengthy legislative process," Rep. Crane said in a celebratory press release. "With a unanimous, bipartisan vote of approval, we are one step closer toward eliminating obstructive red tape and accelerating recovery efforts."
The Arizona congressman thanked House Natural Resources Chair Bruce Westerman (R-AR), the Coconino County Board of Supervisors, and "everyone who has played a role in advancing this critical legislation."
Similarly, Rep. Westerman said, "Federal bureaucracy should not stand in the way of vital rebuilding efforts at the Grand Canyon, which is critical to restore tourism and support rural, gateway economies."
"H.R. 5729 will help expedite the recovery of the North Rim of the Grand Canyon from the devastating impacts of the Dragon Bravo Fire by giving the National Park Service targeted emergency acquisition flexibilities," Rep. Westerman added. " This commonsense legislation will support on-the-ground recovery work and conserve this iconic landscape for future generations. I thank Representative Crane for introducing this bill on behalf of Arizonans and the millions of Americans who cherish the Grand Canyon."
The Coconino County Board of Supervisors celebrated the bill's trajectory, commenting, "We are deeply grateful to Representative Crane for championing this legislation and recognizing the devastation caused by the Dragon Bravo Fire and the heartbreaking loss for everyone who treasures this extraordinary place."
