In two letters, the National Association of State Foresters has offered its support for the “Emergency Wildfire and Public Safety Act of 2020,” a bipartisan bill that sets out to streamline collaborative wildfire risk reduction projects and accelerate forest management near existing roads, trails, and transmission lines.
“Forests across the United States need more active management,” said NASF President Greg Josten. “Active management is central to mitigating boundaryless forest threats like diseases, pests, and wildfire. NASF applauds the bipartisan approach of the Emergency Wildfire and Public Safety Act to promote the cross-boundary management needed to improve the health, productivity, and resiliency of all forests.”
“The only way to protect the health and productivity of all of our nation’s forests is by managing them all to be more resilient,” said NASF Executive Director Jay Farrell. “Greater forest management requires coordination among state and federal natural resource agencies, private forestland owners, and forestry organizations. NASF supports expanding proposed authorities provided in this bill, in order to benefit all of America’s forests.”
Click below to read the letters in full.