U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins has announced a $200 million investment to advance the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service’s National Active Forest Management Strategy. This initiative aims to boost timber harvest, enhance forest health and productivity, reduce wildfire risks, and support rural communities economically.
The strategy aligns with President Trump's Executive Order for the immediate expansion of timber production by simplifying regulations, utilizing emergency powers, and accelerating project approvals. It also involves using long-term contracts to ensure a steady supply of wood products while fostering healthier forests and stronger rural economies.
"President Trump is committed to cutting red tape, rolling back burdensome regulations and unleashing the potential of America’s abundant natural resources," stated Secretary Rollins. "We are doing just that at USDA with this announcement to invest in timber production. This is a win for consumers who will see better prices with American grown products, and a win for forest management which will help keep our forests safer and reduce wildfire risk."
Rollins emphasized that this initiative not only aids forest management but also supports jobs in rural areas while decreasing reliance on foreign lumber imports.
In line with this strategy, the Forest Service has pledged to increase timber harvests on national forests by 25%, targeting an annual harvest of 4 billion board feet by fiscal year 2028.
The investment utilizes tools like Good Neighbor Authority to facilitate cooperation across jurisdictions and property lines for improving forest health and economic growth nationwide. The focus extends to innovative wood products such as cross-laminated timber used in commercial construction due to its strength relative to steel. Additionally, active management often results in byproducts useful for wood energy, pellets, and other biomass applications despite their low conventional market value.
These investments are expected to have direct impacts on communities and businesses within the wood products sector by supporting jobs in various related industries including timber harvesting, lumber mills, innovative wood products manufacturing, and energy sectors. Ultimately, these efforts aim to secure a robust domestic timber supply that bolsters rural industries while stabilizing markets and promoting long-term economic prosperity.
