Forest Managment in the Farm Bill 2023
Lorrie Boyer
Reporter
“Although the recent infrastructure law provided more than $3 billion to the Forest Service for restoration, and fire prevention activities, funding alone won't address the urgent needs that we have in forest communities and across the National Forest System. If we truly are going to make progress on the 10s of millions of acres that are overgrown and in need of immediate treatment. We need every tool available, and consider others that will promote forest health and help meet our long term management goals.”
Representative Thompson said that proper forest management leads to climate benefits.
“ Now we'll have some continue to call for reworking the conservation programs and titled to de emphasize climate benefits. Forestry and management must also be a major part of that conversation.”
Which, he says would restore forest health decrease the intensity and likelihood of wildfires and create more carbon storage opportunities. Additionally, he promoted sustainable harvest, saying that it creates not only forest health but also economic health for forested communities.