America’s Forest Health Crisis
US Forest Service Chief Bus Tour, hosted by Congressman Doug LaMalfa and Congressman Tom McClintock
By: John Kingsbury, Executive Director, Mountain Counties Water Resources Association
Last month, I had the pr
ivilege and honor to be invited by Congressman Doug LaMalfa and Congressman Tom McClintock to join them and others on the USDA Forest Service Chief Tour in Toulumne County. This was a distinct opportunity to meet Interim Forest Chief, Vicky Christensen and hear from experts about the forest and environmental devastation caused by the Rim Fire and restoration efforts and challenges.
Recently, the attendees received a copy of the white paper titled “America’s Forest Health Crisis”, which I would like to share with our MCWRA website subscribers.
Thank you for attending the May 14, 2018 Chief’s Tour.
We have enclosed a copy of the white paper, “America’s Forest Health Crisis.” The white paper is a combination of scientific and empirical data that provides the benchmark for our forest health observations and talking points discussed during the tour. It was prepared in 2017 for President Trump by the Joint Governmental Affairs Committee (comprised of Associated California Loggers, Sierra Cascade Logging Conference, and Loggers Association of Northern California), with invaluable input from the California Forestry Association.
Over 45% of our western states’ forest land is included in our National Forest System
(NFS). The NFS lands were set aside by Congress for the express purpose and intent to
“improve and protect the forest, secure favorable conditions of water flows, and furnish a
continuous supply of timber for the use and necessities of citizens of the United States.”
That intent was further defined to “develop and administer the renewable surface
resources of the National Forests for multiple use and sustained yield of the several
products and services.”
However, for the past 25 years, our NFS has been experiencing a forest health crisis
because laws regulating the NFS are often conflicting.
Read More: America’s Forest Health Crisis
