The American Forest Resource Council (AFRC) today voiced its strong support for two Executive Orders signed by President Trump on March 1, aimed at expanding U.S. timber production and strengthening the domestic lumber industry. The Executive Orders address key challenges facing federal forest management, wildfire prevention, and the economic sustainability of the nation’s wood products sector.
Executive Orders Prioritize Domestic Timber and Lumber Supply
The first order, titled “Immediate Expansion of U.S. Timber Production,” underscores the importance of timber, lumber, paper, bioenergy, and other wood products to the nation’s economy and directs federal agencies to take decisive actions to increase timber supplies and reduce regulatory barriers.
The second order, “Addressing the Threat to National Security From Imports of Timber, Lumber,” classifies the wood products industry as essential to U.S. national security and economic stability. It tasks the Secretary of Commerce, in collaboration with other federal agencies, with investigating the national security implications of timber and lumber imports and recommending policies to fortify the domestic supply chain.
AFRC Supports Immediate Action to Address Federal Forest Crisis
AFRC President Travis Joseph praised the Executive Orders as long-overdue steps toward responsible federal forest management and economic revitalization.
“These are common sense directives Americans support and want from their Federal government, which owns about 30 percent of our nation’s forests. Our federal forests have been mismanaged for decades. Americans have paid the price in almost every way. Lost jobs, lost manufacturing, and infrastructure. Lost recreational opportunities like hunting and fishing, and access to our lands. Degraded wildlife populations, water, and air. Landscapes and communities devastated by wildfire. Our federal forests are facing an emergency. It’s time to start treating it like one by taking immediate action,” Joseph said.
“These executive orders state the obvious but provide the clarity and leadership past administrations have failed to say out loud and prioritize: America’s wood products should come from America. Whether for economic, environmental, or national security reasons, better managing our federal forests benefits everyone. Who opposes American workers, stewarding and protecting American lands, to make American products and create opportunities – all while reducing wildfire risks to public health and safety? It’s a call to action to come together, get to work, and deliver better outcomes for Americans and our forests.”
The Executive Orders come amid a federal forest health and wildfire crisis; losses in recent years of U.S. wood products manufacturing facilities and jobs; and a severe national housing shortage.
Executive Orders Address Federal Lands in Crisis
The Forest Service manages 193 million acres of forests and grassland nationally. Only 35 percent of national forests are available for timber harvests, while 65 percent is designated for non-timber uses, such as wilderness and other areas set aside for protection. One-half of one percent of national forest lands is harvested for timber each year. For the past 20 years, forest mortality (tree death) on national forests has exceeded timber harvest. Our federal forests are so neglected today that mortality is now exceeding the net growth of these forests.
On average, it takes the Forest Service 3.6 years to complete necessary environmental paperwork (National Environmental Policy Act analysis) before beginning mechanical treatments on national forest lands, including critical thinning and fuel reduction projects to reduce wildfire risks to communities and infrastructure. The timeline increases to 5.3 years if a longer analysis is required (Environmental Impact Statement). The Forest Service is one of the most litigated agencies in the federal government.
In the wake of the devastating Los Angeles wildfires, and due to similarly cumbersome, expensive, and time-consuming permitting hurdles, California Governor Gavin Newsom also proclaimed a state of emergency to speed up wildfire prevention projects ahead of the peak wildfire season. This will include suspending the California Environmental Quality Act and California Coastal Act to accelerate forest management projects.
Meanwhile, it is estimated that nearly 80 million acres of national forest land need restoration to reduce the susceptibility to wildfire, disease, and insect infestations. The Forest Service has outlined the need to treat at least 20 million acres of national forest system lands in the next 10 years but is currently treating less than 800,000 acres per year. On average, the Forest Service spends more than $1.5 billion annually on wildfire suppression costs.
America’s Wood Products Industry is Capable of Meeting Domestic Demand
The U.S. is the largest consumer of wood products in the world. Collectively, Americans use 10-15 billion cubic feet (more than 100 million tons) of wood each year in the form of wood and paper products as well as wood energy. This translates to roughly 640 pounds of wood per person per year, or 1.75 pounds of wood per person per day. U.S. Forest Service lands grow 25 billion cubic feet of wood per year. Yet, the U.S. is also the largest importer of wood products in the world to help meet up to one-third of its needs. Imports are coming from dozens of countries, include Canada, China, Brazil, Mexico, Germany, Vietnam – and even Russia.
The U.S. is also facing a housing shortage of at least 4.5 million homes. Total housing starts for 2024 were 1.36 million, a 3.9% decline from the 1.42 million total from 2023. For the average sized American home of 2,600 square feet, approximately 16,400 board feet of lumber is required. Currently, the Forest Service sells enough timber to frame 175,000 homes annually. If the Forest Service implemented its current forest plans, it would sell enough American-made lumber to frame more than 385,000 American homes per year.
AFRC urges swift implementation of these Executive Orders to restore balance in federal forest management, support rural economies, and ensure the sustainability of America’s timber and lumber industries. With immediate action, the nation can reduce wildfire risks, protect communities, and increase domestic timber production to meet growing demand.