Why It Matters
San Bernardino County is doubling down on forest management while Congress is actively advancing the Fix Our Forests Act, which would streamline environmental reviews and accelerate forest restoration projects—directly affecting San Bernardino’s vast federal forestlands.
The county isn’t fighting alone; the San Bernardino County Fire Protection District has testified before the House Natural Resources Committee on wildfire technology, positioning the county as a key voice in national fire policy.
This isn’t a wholesale strategy change. Potomac Partners DC remains the primary firm, handling broad federal interests since 2009. Instead, the county is adding surgical capability through Telegraph Advisors, focusing solely on public lands and fire prevention.
By the Numbers
San Bernardino County has maintained federal lobbying since 2003. Potomac Partners DC has filed 64 disclosures totaling over $2.6 million from 2009 to 2025.
The new 2025 engagement adds capacity through Telegraph Advisors, with a single outside contact: John Andrew Sobel, who brings eight years of congressional experience and extensive background representing California municipalities and conservation organizations on natural resource issues. This insider knowledge could prove invaluable for building bipartisan consensus on forest management legislation.
The Agenda
San Bernardino County is lobbying specifically on public lands, forest management, and fire prevention. The county’s engagement with Telegraph Advisors targets the Fix Our Forests Act, which aims to streamline environmental reviews and accelerate forest restoration projects. This narrows the county’s historically broad federal lobbying efforts to a specialized approach on wildfire and forest policy.
Broader Context
San Bernardino County’s lobbying push comes as Congress accelerates wildfire action. The Fix Our Forests Act has advanced through the Senate Agriculture Committee with bipartisan support and passed the House, positioning it for a full Senate vote.
The urgency is acute. The Line Fire burned 44,000 acres in the San Bernardino Mountains last year. Rep. Jay Obernolte and other members representing the county have highlighted these stakes, while federal budget pressures threaten Forest Service capacity precisely when Congress pushes for accelerated forest treatments.
Between The Lines
Multiple forest management bills are advancing, including the Wildfire Emergency Act of 2025 and the Modernizing Wildfire Safety and Prevention Act. Rep. Young Kim invited San Bernardino County Fire Chief Dan Munsey as her guest to the President’s Joint Address to Congress, elevating wildfire priorities.
The Bottom Line
San Bernardino County has engaged Telegraph Advisors to focus on forest management and fire prevention as the Fix Our Forests Act advances through Congress. This supplements broader lobbying efforts with Potomac Partners DC, adding specialized capacity where Congress is actively legislating.
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