Newhouse Calls for Common-Sense Forest Management Following Old-Growth Forest Plan Proposal

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Dan Newhouse (WA-04) issued the following statement in opposition to the Biden Administration’s Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for a proposed National Old-Growth Amendment.  

“The action taken today by the Forest Service is the next step towards limiting timber production at the expense of common-sense forest management, including in the Colville, Gifford Pinchot, and Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forests” said Rep. Newhouse.

“Let’s be clear, this war on timber harvesting is to the detriment of communities across North Central Washington and will increase the risk of out-of-control forest fires by limiting proper forest management tools. As Chairman of the Western Caucus, I will continue to work to ensure that our forest managers have the necessary tools at their disposal and use all available means to prevent this proposed amendment from becoming a reality.”

Background:

The U.S. Department of Agriculture initiated a scoping period for a proposed amendment to all 128 plans across the National Forest System in December 2023.

The comment period for this scoping period closed on February 2, 2024; the Forest Service evaluated comments from the scoping and drafted an EIS highlighting a preferred alternative.

The draft EIS was published in the Federal Register on June 21, 2024, with an accompanying 90-day public comment period.

A final EIS and record of decision for the amendment to all 128 National Forest system plans is expected at the end of 2024/beginning of 2025.

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