Issue Position: Allegheny National Forest

Issue Position

The Allegheny National Forest (ANF) is Pennsylvania's only National Forest, which is located in Forest, Elk, McKean and Warren counties, in the fifth Congressional District. The ANF is among the most beautiful areas of Pennsylvania and has a rich and spirited history. During the 19th century, a great deal of deforestation took place in the ANF. Fortunately, the ANF has been re-grown in the last 100 years and is now one of the most diverse forests in the country. Managed by the U.S. Forest Service within the Department of Agriculture, the forest was established in 1923 and is more than a half million acres in size.

The ANF is special for many reasons. The forest is multi-use, meaning that it successfully combines forestry, recreation, tourism, timber harvesting, and energy production. I believe that all of these attributes offer a unique setting to benefit the entire Commonwealth. I believe the following points are crucial to ensure the longevity and sustainability of the ANF:

Support the Forest Service: The Forest Service manages the ANF and does great additional work in research. I believe that it is essential for the forest to receive adequate funding in order to carry out these core functions. I am a strong advocate for the Service and for funding levels of the ANF in Washington.

Increase Recreation and Tourism: As a former healthcare professional and Boy Scout Leader, I encourage the many benefits of outdoor recreation and physical activity. In Pennsylvania's Fifth Congressional District, we are blessed with an abundance of lands that can cater to some of the best outdoor experiences in the state. The ANF offers year-round activities such as camping, fishing, boating, hiking, biking, and snowmobiling. As your Member of Congress, I will continue to advocate on behalf of expanded recreation and tourism throughout our region.

Increase Timber Harvesting: Timber has become an important part of the economic engine in the Fifth District; consequently, the ANF is home to the finest hardwood trees in the world. I remain concerned by the decreasing amounts of board feet that have been produced in the past decade or so. Back in the 1980s, the ANF was producing around 90 million board feet (mbf) per year, whereas today it is closer to 25 mbf annually. Secondly, I am a strong proponent of using wood waste for the production of woody biomass. Using dead or decaying wood in the forest not only can be used to create clean fuels, but must be part of a balanced forest management plan. A well-managed forest is much better for everyone than an unmanaged one. Please know that I will continue to advocate for increased timber harvesting and for the timber industry.

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