Tom Vilsack Secretary of U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) | Official Website
WASHINGTON, June 20, 2024 — Tomorrow, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service will publish a draft environmental impact statement for the proposed national old growth forest plan amendment. The document will be available in the Federal Register and open for public comment for 90 days.
The purpose of this amendment is to provide consistent guidance for the stewardship, conservation, and recruitment of old growth across national forests. It emphasizes proactive stewardship actions to manage threats to old growth forests and reduce wildfire risk amid climate-driven threats. Adaptive management strategies are to be developed using local information and the best available science, including Indigenous Knowledge.
“Recent scientific analysis shows us that many old-growth forests are under significant threat from climate change,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. “The Forest Service’s plan will help safeguard these iconic stands of trees through science-based management and conservation strategies that can be adapted to unique local circumstances on national forests. USDA is looking forward to receiving feedback on today’s draft proposal from Tribal, state and local governments, industry partners, conservation organizations, and many others; all of whom will be critical partners in the forest management and conservation actions needed to ensure the maintenance and growth of old-growth forests into the future.”
“Under President Biden’s leadership, we are taking action to ensure that millions of acres of old growth forests across the nation are conserved, resilient, and abundant for future generations,” said White House Council on Environmental Quality Chair Brenda Mallory. “With our nation’s forests absorbing more than 10% of our annual greenhouse gas emissions, protecting and expanding old growth is critical to delivering on the Biden-Harris Administration’s climate and conservation priorities.”
“Our old growth forests breathe in carbon pollution, cleaning up the air, and filter our water, cleaning up rivers and streams. These forests are an essential partner in tackling climate change. President Biden’s historic leadership on climate – including his executive order on safeguarding our forest system – leans into that partnership and potential by advancing climate-smart forestry and investing in forest restoration,” said Assistant to President Biden and National Climate Advisor Ali Zaidi.
“Old growth forests are important to our ecosystems by capturing carbon, contributing to clean air, soil, water, and diverse habitats,” said Forest Service Chief Randy Moore. “Old forests also provide other benefits like subsistence and cultural uses, outdoor recreational opportunities and sustainable local economic development. The proposed old growth amendment will provide guidance that can be adapted locally to support multiple uses, including proactive stewardship of old forests to reduce wildfire risk and create long-term resilience in a changing climate."
At President Biden’s direction, the Forest Service along with the Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Land Management (BLM) completed a nationwide inventory of old and mature forests. This report showed that BLM manages approximately 32 million acres of old growth while managing 80 million acres as mature forests on federally managed lands.
The Forest Service recently finalized The Mature and Old Growth Threat Analysis identifying threats such as wildfire insects driven by climate change which informed their proposed national amendment suggesting current management is not responsive enough.
Tribal input was vital during initial scoping period closed February 2nd resulting incorporation into proposed action developing alternatives learning from feedback received during public comment period through ongoing Tribal roundtables consultation sessions dialogue cooperating agencies state local governments
This work supports healthy resilient ecosystems integrating considerations planning operations consistent Inflation Reduction Act directed $50 million fund Executive Order Strengthening Nation's Communities Local Economies issued April 22nd supports Wildfire Crisis Strategy Reforestation Strategy announced updates Climate Adaptation Plan earlier today concert agencies advance resilience
Throughout comment period engagements field tours virtual information sessions formal consultation Tribes working cooperating agencies additional information engagement opportunities available website
USDA touches lives daily transforming food system focus resilient production fairer markets ensuring access safe nutritious building new markets income farmers producers making historic investments infrastructure clean energy rural America committing equity removing barriers building workforce representative learn more visit www.usda.gov
