U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Helps Grow Wisconsin's Timber Economy

Press Release

U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin today applauded an announcement from the United States Forest Service (USFS) that the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest is expected to meet and exceed its 2016 timber sale goal of selling at least 100 million board feet (MMBF) of timber this fiscal year. The last time the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest sold more than 100 MMBF of timber was in 2001.

This is an important step forward for Wisconsin's timber economy. This announcement comes as a result of management tools passed as part of the 2014 Farm Bill, which Senator Baldwin supported. The Farm Bill authorized the use of Good Neighbor Authority, which allows the Forest Service to enter into agreements with states to have them perform forest, rangeland and watershed restoration services on National Forest System lands. The bill also permanently authorized Stewardship Contracting, which allows the Forest Service to partner with stakeholder groups to accomplish forest management and wildlife habitat restoration projects.

"The announcement from the Forest Service confirms what I have seen on the ground -- policies passed in the Farm Bill are improving forest management and helping the Forest Service deliver on its management goals," said Senator Baldwin. "Our Wisconsin timber economy is facing a number of challenges and thanks to the hard work of the Forest Service, Wisconsin DNR, and many stakeholders, we are making more progress on them. That is why I was proud to champion the use of Good Neighbor Authority and Stewardship Contracting here in Wisconsin."

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