Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 102 Part 2.djvu/611

 PUBLIC LAW 100-428—SEPT. 9, 1988

102 STAT. 1615

Public Law 100-428 100th Congress An Act To authorize the Secretary of Agriculture and other agency heads to enter into agreements with foreign fire organizations for assistance in wildfire protection.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That this Act may be cited as the "Temporary Emergency Wildfire Suppression Act". SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

As used in this Act— (1) the term "fire organization" means any governmental, public, or private entity having wildfire protection resources; (2) the term "wildfire protection resources" means personnel, supplies, equipment, and other resources required for wildfire presuppression and suppression activities; and (3) the term "wildfire" means any forest or range fire. SEC. 3. IMPLEMENTATION.

Sept. 9, 1988 [S. 2641] Temporary Emergency Wildfire Suppression Act. 42 USC 1856 note. 42 USC 1856m.

42 USC 1856n.

(a)(1) The Secretary of Agriculture or the Secretary of the Interior, in consultation with the Secretary of State, may enter into a reciprocal agreement with any foreign fire organization for mutual aid in furnishing wildfire protection resources for lands and other properties for which such Secretary or organization normally provides wildfire protection. (2) Any agreement entered into under this subsection— (A) shall include a waiver by each party to the agreement of Claims, all claims against every other party to the agreement for compensation for any loss, damage, personal injury, or death occurring in consequence of the performance of such agreement; (B) shall include a provision to allow the termination of such agreement by any party thereto after reasonable notice; and (C) may provide for the reimbursement of any party thereto for all or any part of the costs incurred by such party in furnishing wildfire protection resources for, or on behalf of, any other party thereto. (b) In the absence of any agreement authorized under subsection (a), the Secretary of Agriculture or the Secretary of the Interior may— (1) furnish emergency wildfire protection resources to any foreign nation when the furnishing of such resources is determined by such Secretary to be in the best interest of the United States, and (2) accept emergency wildfire protection resources from any foreign fire organization when the acceptance of such resources is determined by such Secretary to be in the best interest of the United States. (c) Notwithstanding the preceding provisions of this section, re- Canada, imbursement may be provided for the costs incurred by the Government of Canada or a Canadian organization in furnishing wildfire

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