U.S. Rep. Frank Lucas (R-OK) said during a recent subcommittee hearing that the U.S. Forest Service should return to its original purpose of conserving natural resources through sustainable use.
Lucas, the chairman of the House Agriculture Subcommittee on Conservation and Forestry, convened the hearing to probe the effectiveness of forestry initiatives set forth in the 2014 Farm Bill, setting the stage for debate over the next farm bill.
The Forest Products industry employs approximately 900,000 people and is among the top 10 manufacturing sectors in the majority of states. However, a decline in timber harvested over the years has led to a loss of jobs and local businesses, Lucas noted.
As has been seen in recent weeks in Oklahoma, Texas, Kansas and Colorado, Lucas said, wildfires can wreak havoc on natural resources and negatively impact farmers, ranchers and foresters.
“As we begin crafting the next farm bill, we have a responsibility to not only provide the folks who live and work on these lands with the tools needed to successfully manage our forest and rangelands, but to also avoid risking their safety at all costs. As we further our discussion on forestry initiatives, it is important to ensure our nation’s forests and rangelands are being effectively managed in order to remain healthy and productive for the rural communities who depend on them.”
Lucas acknowledged that important reforms were made in the 2014 Farm Bill, including the ability to address insect and disease concerns as well as the Good Neighbor Authority, which allows the Forest Service to enter into contracts with states to allow the states to perform forest management services on National Forest System lands. But he said more work is needed to improve forest management across the nation.
“As a committee, we need to do everything in our power to give the Forest Service the flexibility to act to reduce fuel loads. Not only is the productivity of our forest and rangelands at risk, but also the lives of those who live and work on these lands.”
Lucas called for continued support of voluntary conservation efforts of forest owners and also the fostering of innovation through advanced forest products and fuels.
U.S. Rep. Michael Conaway (R-TX), the chairman of the House Agriculture Committee, noted the nation’s forests serve as huge economic drivers in many communities.
“In the 2014 Farm Bill, meaningful reforms were made to help improve the management tools that our forests so desperately needed and support the voluntary conservation efforts forest owners make on their private lands,” Conaway said. “We all benefit from healthy forests, which is why this committee is committed to providing our foresters with the necessary tools to protect and conserve our nation’s forests and natural resources.”