The Timber Harvesting Restoration Act of 2025 requires National Forest System units that are underperforming in timber sales to develop and implement plans to increase their timber harvesting.
Mike Rounds
Senator
SD
The "Timber Harvesting Restoration Act of 2025" aims to increase timber harvesting on National Forest System lands. It requires forest supervisors of underperforming units to submit reports detailing how they will increase timber sales and take actionable steps to meet targets. The Secretary of Agriculture will review progress and allocate resources to help units meet these goals, with repeated reporting required until sales reach a specified level. The Secretary can waive the reporting requirement in certain circumstances.
National Forests Gear Up for More Timber Sales: New Reporting Rules Hit in 180 Days
The Timber Harvesting Restoration Act of 2025 is all about getting more wood out of National Forests. Here's the deal: if a National Forest isn't selling at least 2/3 of its 'allowable sale quantity' (the maximum amount of timber they're supposed to sell in a decade), it's flagged as a 'covered NFS unit.' The bosses of these forests, called Forest Supervisors, then have 180 days to write up a 'harvesting improvement report.'
Making the Cut: New Timber Targets
This report isn't just paperwork. It has to lay out where they can cut more trees and how they'll actually do it. Think of it like a business plan, but for logging. Forest Supervisors need to show within a year that they are taking 'actionable steps' to boost timber sales. The Secretary of Agriculture (the big boss of the Forest Service) will check in after a year. If sales hit 75% of the allowable amount, they're good. If not, it's back to the drawing board for another report in 180 days, and the Secretary can throw in extra resources – more staff, faster environmental reviews, you name it. (SEC. 2)
Real-World Lumber?
Imagine a local sawmill that's been struggling due to low timber supply from the nearby National Forest. This bill could mean more logs coming in, potentially stabilizing the business and keeping jobs in the area. Or, picture a construction company that relies on lumber; increased supply could (though it's not guaranteed) help keep material costs down. On the flip side, if you are a hiker or a camper, you might see more logging activity in areas that were previously untouched. (SEC. 2)
The Catch: Fast Tracking and Fine Print
The bill mandates that Forest Supervisors talk to private industry, local governments, and other groups when making these plans. That's good for getting different perspectives. But, the 'expedited environmental reviews' part raises a flag. It means potentially rushing through assessments of how logging will impact wildlife, water quality, and recreation. Also, what exactly counts as an 'actionable step'? That's not super clear, leaving room for, shall we say, creative solutions. And while there's a 'get out of jail free' card if a natural disaster messes things up (SEC. 2), that could be a loophole if not carefully monitored. The bill is essentially forcing the Forest Service to prioritize timber sales, and how that plays out on the ground is the big question.