Crapo Joins Bill Blocking Biden’s Misguided Forestry Plan

Washington, D.C.--U.S. Senator Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) joined colleagues on a recently-introduced bill to ensure state and local land managers play an active role in protecting America’s old growth forests.  This legislation would block a misguided U.S. Forest Service policy that obstructs local and state forestry initiatives without considering the unique conditions of forests across the country.

?The U.S. Forest Service’s proposed Old Growth Plan Amendment was drafted without appropriate state or local input.  This approach fails to address the major threats to old growth forests, including wildfires. 

“Idahoans are best-equipped as stewards of their state’s lands and resources,” said Crapo.  “They don’t need the heavy hand of Washington ignoring their input on time-tested and proven wildfire management efforts.  This restores responsibilities to those who handle them best.”

?In April 2022, the Biden Administration directed the U.S. Forest Service to define, identify and assess the risks to “old-growth and mature” forests absent a Congressional mandate or existing authority to do so.  In December 2023, the U.S. Forest Service released a Notice of Intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement that would amend all 128 forest plans in less than one year, in direct conflict with its own processes that require tailored approaches at the forest level.

?Crapo joins Senators Jim Risch (R-Idaho), John Barrasso (R-Wyoming), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyoming) and Steve Daines (R-Montana) in co-sponsoring the legislation.