President Trump announced his intent to sign an Emergency Order to “Free up our Forests” for active management and domestic lumber production. Two weeks ago the American Loggers Council and the American Biomass Energy Association met with White House officials to discuss the timber industry, biomass, and the Road Map to Recovery. A Forest Emergency declaration was also presented for consideration.

The “pace and scale” at which the Trump Administration is moving, and this Emergency Order, are examples of the “pace and scale” that our national forests management needs to pursue in order to mitigate wildfire threats, restore the health of U.S. forests, and support the domestic timber and forest products industries.

The American Loggers Council looks forward to, and is prepared to, work with President Trump and his Administration to responsibly and sustainably manage U.S. forests instead of them being managed by fire, disease, infestation, and mortality.