A number of the nation's conservation organizations, including the Wildlife Management Institute, are encouraging the U.S. Senate to follow the U.S. House of Representatives' lead and pass legislation that directs the Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to accelerate the pace and scope of forest management on lands they control.

"Maintaining the health of our federal forests is vital to maintaining healthy watersheds; retaining abundant and diverse wildlife populations; and providing abundant recreational opportunities," according to these groups. "Outdoor recreation and active forest management are mutually dependent."

On September 20, the House of Representatives passed HR 1526, legislation that attempts to address some of the issues that stymie sound forest management on national forests and lands managed by BLM. The groups point out, "Legislation needs to reduce the cost of environmental reviews, reduce the number of lawsuits and appeals after projects have been identified through environmental review, and expedite the process for projects and programs to restore and maintain the health of our federal forests."

In addition, the groups point out that problems on these federal lands aren't occurring just in the western parts of the country. "Poor forest health isn't confined to Western States where large wildfires continue to consume a record number of acres and cost billions to suppress; National Forests across the U.S. are experiencing declining growth rates, overstocked unhealthy conditions, and a substantial increase in insect infestations," the letter states.

Senate attention to this legislation was delayed during the government shutdown, but it's the hope of many in the conservation community that this legislation will move forward before the end of this Congress. (pmr)