Comments

NASF submitted comments on the Forest Service’s proposed Directive System changes, supporting efforts to improve consistency while emphasizing the importance of transparency, stakeholder engagement, and clear guidance for state-federal partnerships. The letter raises concerns with provisions allowing the recission or repeal of Manuals and Handbooks without public notice and comment.

The USDA Forest Service (USFS) announcement of a sweeping restructuring plan is designed to sustain the agency responsible for the sustainability of America’s forests. The National Association of State Foresters (NASF) supports the transition to a state-based organizational model that continues to serve all lands. NASF also expresses support for the dedicated USFS professionals doing [read more]

State Foresters across the nation applaud the Senate Agriculture Committee’s bipartisan work this morning to advance the landmark “Fix Our Forests Act” out of committee today, and we look forward to its timely consideration and passage on the Senate Floor. “State forestry agencies play a lead role, not only with the 550 million+ acres of [read more]

Today, a bipartisan group of senators introduced its companion to the Fix our Forests Act (FOFA), reintroduced and quickly passed by the House earlier this year. The FOFA is a significant federal forest management and wildfire package aimed at streamlining critical work required on the National Forest System, as well as implementing a number of [read more]

NASF submitted comments responding to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service Draft Environmental Impact Statement to amend Land Management Plans for old-growth forests across the National Forest System (NFS). Old-growth forests contribute to nature-based climate solutions, increase biodiversity, mitigate wildfire risks, enhance climate resilience, enable subsistence and cultural uses, provide outdoor recreation opportunities, [read more]

NASF submitted comments responding to the Occupational Safety Administration’s (OSHA) request for input regarding the potential impacts to the wildland firefighting community of incorporating various National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards into the proposed Emergency Response Standard. In the comments, NASF expressed concern that the National Wildfire Coordinating Group's (NWCG) existing standards and training are [read more]

The National Association of State Foresters (NASF) submitted comments in response to the United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service request for public input to support the preparation of proposed regulations intended to implement the Greenhouse Gas Technical Assistance Provider and Third-Party Verifier Program. The purpose of the Program is to facilitate farmer, rancher, and [read more]

The National Association of State Foresters submitted comments in response to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service Notice of Intent (NOI) to prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) to amend all land management plans for units of the National Forest System to include consistent direction to conserve steward and recruit future old-growth [read more]

NASF submitted official comments to the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) proposed Revisions to the Air Emissions Reporting Requirements (AERR). In the letter, NASF emphasizes the burden to State Forestry agencies that the proposal would create for the collection and reporting of prescribed fire data. Ensuring that the use of prescribed fire remains in the toolbox [read more]

NASF submitted comments on the Council of Environmental Quality’s (CEQ) proposed “Bipartisan Permitting Reform Implementation Rule” to revise its regulations for implementing the procedural provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). In the letter, NASF states that NEPA should be implemented in “ways that are more productive by (1) utilizing landscape scale planning, (2) [read more]