Thompson’s Agriculture Subcommittee Calls Upon Forest Service to Actively Manage National Forests

Washington, D.C.—Today, U.S. Representative Glenn ‘GT’ Thompson, Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee’s Conservation and Forestry Subcommittee, held a public hearing “To review the National Forest System and active forest management.”

The U. S. Forest Service, an agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, manages the country’s 154 national forests and 20 national grasslands, which cover 193 million acres.

Members of the Conservation and Forestry Subcommittee called upon Forest Service Chief Thomas Tidwell to use the tools Congress made available in the 2014 Farm Bill, in order to strengthen rural economies and improve the health of the national forest system.

“Harvesting timber in National Forests, such as the Allegheny, is essential to sustain vibrant rural communities,” said Chairman Thompson.  “However, since the 1980s there has been a steep decline in the amount of board feet of timber produced by our national forests.  Although we have seen a substantial increase in production from the Allegheny each year since 2009, it is still performing well below its potential.  Timber harvesting is a valuable tool the Forest Service must utilize to effectively and actively manage these federal lands,” Thompson added.

Click here for more information, including Chairman Thompson's opening statement and Susan Swanson’s written testimony.

Photos from today’s hearing can be found here. 

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