Letter to Tom Vilsack, United States Department of Agriculture Secretary - Proposed Priority Landscapes for Active Forest Treatment

Letter

Dear Secretary Vilsack:

I write to urge swift consideration and approval of Montana Governor Steve Bullock's proposed priority landscapes for active forest treatment pursuant to Section 8204 of the Agriculture Act of 2014. I was proud to support passage of this Act as it helps to address the immense challenge to active management of our National Forests in Montana.

As Governor Bullock's letter states, 7,645,000 acres of forestland in Montana are at risk of mortality from insects and diseases over the next five years. The infestation of these lands threatens our robust wildlife populations and habitat, lucrative outdoor recreation industry supported by our Forests, and the livelihoods of workers in Montana's wood products industry. The worsening infestation challenge also significantly increases the risk of catastrophic wildfires that endanger human lives and cost the Forest Service millions of dollars each year to suppress. Governor Bullock has requested the Forest Service to approve the state's priority landscapes within ninety days. I urge you to approve his plan as expeditiously as possible within that time period considering the urgency and severity of the challenges in Montana's National Forests.

It is also important to consider that, over the last five years, National Forest timber sales in Montana have declined by 58% and the National Forests in my state have sold an average of 50% of the Allowable Sale Quantity called for in their current Forest Plans. Meanwhile, our mills in Montana must obtain logs from hundreds of miles away, in other states, to keep their businesses afloat and resources deteriorate in Montana forests. Poverty rates in forested counties are well above the state average. I commend Governor Bullock's plan to prioritize active restoration treatments in all ten of our National Forests in Montana, including in the Kootenai and Lolo National Forests where suitability for timber harvest and unemployment rates are among the highest in our state.

Section 8204 of the Agriculture Act of 2014 provides a worthwhile tool towards better treatment of our rural forested communities in Montana. I urge you to utilize your authority under the law to promptly approve Montana's proposed priority landscapes so that we can perform this critically-needed restoration work without delay. Thank you for your consideration of this request, and I look forward to your response and to continuing to work together for the benefit of forested counties in Montana and nationwide.

Sincerely,

STEVE DAINES
Member of Congress

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