Northern Tier News

The recent natural disasters in California have left a significant impact on many, including Representative Clint Owlett of Pennsylvania. The images of destruction and community support remind him of similar events in his region, particularly the floods in August.

Owlett emphasizes the need for reevaluating decisions made before such disasters. He challenges the notion that nothing can be done against natural calamities like floods, hurricanes, and wildfires. He highlights New York Governor Kathy Hochul's actions after the August flood as an example of effective leadership. "She challenged the current environmental practices and pointed out the impact of several decades of not allowing local governments and landowners to protect their homes and property," Owlett notes.

He questions whether current environmental policies might be leaving communities vulnerable. According to him, previous generations who maintained firebreaks and water supplies would likely agree that local control is essential.

Owlett proposes giving local leaders more resources and support rather than restrictions. He mentions House Bill 88, which suggests allocating lease and royalty money collected from streams to county officials for maintenance purposes. He also refers to House Bill 200, advocating for state and local governments' ability to ensure proper water flow through engineered structures.

While acknowledging that not all solutions are simple, Owlett stresses the importance of policy flexibility alongside financial resources. He hopes that California will learn from past experiences to better prepare for future events.

In conclusion, Owlett urges a return to "good, sound, commonsense judgment calls" in dealing with environmental challenges.