Glenn Thompson - Chairman of the House Committee on Agriculture | Official U.S. House headshot
Glenn Thompson - Chairman of the House Committee on Agriculture | Official U.S. House headshot
Republican leaders of the Congressional committees overseeing federal forest lands have raised concerns about the Biden administration's decision regarding "old growth and mature forests" on federal lands. House Committee on Agriculture Chairman Glenn "GT" Thompson (PA-15), House Committee on Natural Resources Chairman Bruce Westerman (AR-04), Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Ranking Member John Boozman (R-AR), and Senate Committee on Natural Resources Ranking Member John Barrasso (R-WY) have jointly written to U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack seeking clarification on this matter.
In their letter to Secretary Vilsack, the members question the process, authority, and rationale behind the administration's actions, expressing concerns about potential impacts on forest management plans and wildfire risk. They specifically highlight their reservations about the administration's intent to amend all 128 Forest Plans within a short timeframe through what they describe as an "unprecedented and truncated process."
The Republican leaders are seeking answers regarding the statutory authority for the administration's decisions and the potential implications for forest health and wildfire risk on federal lands. They emphasize their concerns about the administration's approach, which they believe may conflict with established mandates and environmental regulations.
If finalized as proposed, the members argue that the administration's actions could lead to significant management restrictions on federal lands based on a subjective "narrative framework" or "working definition." They question the legality and feasibility of such an approach, urging Secretary Vilsack to provide clarity on the rationale behind these decisions.
The letter from the GOP committee leaders underscores their commitment to oversight and accountability in federal forest management, calling for transparency and justification from the Biden administration regarding the designation of "old growth and mature forests" on federal lands.
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