SD, WY legislators categorical considerations with USFS plan to scale back timber sale program within the Black Hills

WASHINGTON — Legislators from South Dakota and Wyoming expressing considerations to U.S. Division of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack in regards to the Forest Service’s plan to scale back the timber sale program within the Black Hills Nationwide Forest.

Sens. John Thune, John Barrasso, Mike Rounds, and Cynthia Lummis, together with Reps. Dusty Johnson and Liz Cheney, say they’re urging the USFS to keep up the timber sale program in an effort to maintain the forest wholesome and help the native economic system.

“We urge the Forest Service to instantly use all NEPA authorities obtainable – together with the gasoline and fireplace break categorical exclusion and emergency actions authority just lately handed by Congress – to expedite remedy on the BHNF in fiscal years 2022 by way of 2024, whereas planning extra work in subsequent years,” the delegations wrote. “Additionally, in gentle of extra funding just lately offered by Congress to the Forest Service for wildfire discount efforts, we urge the Forest Service to supply funding and staffing sources obligatory to achieve success on this activity.”

The legislators quoted the Forest Service’s 10-year technique, which states “the necessity to drastically improve the variety of acres handled on our nationwide forests.” In addition they say the timber sale program within the Black Hills Nationwide Forest is the “main software” for efficiently managing the forest, insect epidemics, and wildfires.