Federal policies blamed for soaring megafires and lost timber revenue
The article argues that U.S. federal restrictions on logging have turned public forests into fuel for larger wildfires, costing jobs and timber.
The commentary contends that decades of federal opposition to logging have created tinderboxes across national forests, leading to megafires that are far larger than those on private lands. Data from the Congressional Budget Office show federal-land fires are, on average, five times the size of nearby non-federal fires despite identical weather. Timber harvests have fallen from 11 billion to under 3 billion board feet annually, while this year’s burned area topped 7 million acres, with Oregon setting a new state record.
Federal agencies have spent nearly $25 million since 2019 on legal fees for groups suing to stop thinning, according to the Government Accountability Office. The piece urges Congress to pass the bipartisan SPEED Act and notes the USDA’s proposal to rescind the Clinton-era Roadless Rule as a step toward allowing more active forest management.
Why it matters
Federal forest policies affect wildfire size, air quality, and local economies dependent on timber.
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