Pulaski Times

WASHINGTON—Republican leaders of the Congressional committees overseeing federal forest lands have requested the Biden administration to clarify its decision on "old growth and mature forests" on federal lands. Senators John Boozman and John Barrasso, along with Representatives Glenn Thompson and Bruce Westerman, have penned a letter to Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack seeking explanations regarding the new definition and its implications on forest management plans.

In the letter, the members raised concerns about the administration's process, authority, and rationale behind the new definition. They questioned the statutory authority for implementing climate-smart management strategies and criticized the administration's intent to amend all 128 Forest Plans within a short timeframe.

"We question what existing statutory authority or Congressional mandate permits or directs the administration to ‘institutionalize climate-smart management and conservation strategies’ to address threats to undefined categories of federal lands," the members stated. They further expressed worries that the proposed changes would conflict with existing mandates and environmental policies by imposing restrictions based on a vague 'narrative framework' or 'working definition.'

The Republican leaders emphasized that the administration's decision could have adverse effects on forest health and increase wildfire risks on millions of federal land acres. They urged Secretary Vilsack to provide clarity on the process, authority, and rationale behind the new definition.

The full letter to Secretary Vilsack can be accessed for further details and insights.