The White House has proposed modifications to protect old-growth forests across 128 land management plans. The Biden administration aims to restrict logging within old-growth forests to conserve millions of acres of land. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service has submitted a draft environmental impact statement for the proposed plan amendment to the federal register on June 20.
The proposed amendment would modify all 128 forest land management plans to safeguard the country’s remaining old-growth trees. Exceptions would be made for cases where trees need to be cut down to reduce fuel hazards, protect public health and safety, or for culturally significant uses.
The Forest Service will make the proposed amendment available for viewing on June 21 and open it for public comments for 90 days after publication. Throughout the comment period, the Forest Service will engage with the public, conduct field tours, virtual information sessions, and consult with Native American tribes, state, and local governments, conservation districts, and other agencies.
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack highlighted the importance of old-growth forests for ecosystems and the need for science-based management and conservation strategies. The proposed amendment aims to support multiple uses, including proactive stewardship of old forests to reduce wildfire risk and enhance resilience in a changing climate.
The proposal has been welcomed by environmental groups, such as the Sierra Club, as a significant step towards climate action. However, the timber industry has criticized the proposal, calling it politically driven and stating that it fails to address the primary threats to old-growth forests on National Forest System lands.
Overall, the proposed modifications seek to protect and steward old-growth forests on national forest lands, aligning with the Biden administration’s climate and conservation priorities. Please rewrite this sentence.
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