The Trump administration has announced plans to increase logging in national forests, including all 18 in California, aiming to boost timber production by 25% over the next five years. This initiative, part of a broader effort to enhance domestic timber supplies and reduce wildfire risks, has sparked significant debate.
According to the San Francisco Chronicle, the plan involves using chain saws across national forests, such as those near Lake Tahoe, Yosemite, and Big Sur. However, experts suggest that the current state of the timber industry may limit the extent of logging. Challenges include a lack of processing capacity, degraded trees due to wildfires and drought, and recent federal staffing cuts that could hinder the Forest Service’s ability to manage logging contracts.
The administration cites fire danger as a primary reason for the increase in logging, claiming it could create more fire-resistant forests. However, the Los Angeles Times reports that environmental groups are concerned that the initiative will bypass legal protections and lead to unnecessary clear-cutting, potentially harming ecosystems and endangered species.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has designated 112.5 million acres of national forestland for logging, with plans to streamline forest management efforts and reduce regulations. The USDA aims to support economic growth while addressing wildfire risks. However, critics argue that the plan prioritizes industry profits over environmental protection.
SFGATE highlights that the plan could dramatically reshape popular recreation areas in California, with many forests not having seen commercial-scale logging in decades. Environmental groups, like Los Padres ForestWatch, warn that the plan could expedite controversial logging projects and undermine environmental laws.
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