FINDINGS AND POLICY.

SEC. 101. FINDINGS AND POLICY. (a) Findings.— Congress finds that— (1) the natural fire disasters that occurred in 1987 and 1988 in Western and Southeastern States burned nearly seven and one-half million acres of Federal, State, and private land; (2) these fires have altered the ability of Federal Government agencies to effectively manage the lands for timber production, fish and wildlife habitation, watershed, and recreation for future use by the American public; and (3) the communities in and surrounding the areas affected by the fires have suffered economic and social losses. (b) Policy.— It is hereby declared to be the policy of Congress to respond to these disasters and prepare for potential disasters by reviewing the effect of these disasters on natural resources and on the financial and cultural aspects of the affected communities and by adopting such policies as are needed to assist in an effective and efficient recovery of those communities.