American Forest Resource Council President Travis Joseph has the following to say regarding the appointment of Tom Schultz as the 21st Chief of the U.S. Forest Service:
“Tom Schultz recognizes the vital role of active forest management on federal lands in supporting rural communities, strengthening local economies, and protecting the environment. With a distinguished career with leading two of the nation’s most effective state land management agencies, he brings a wealth of experience to the table. As Director of the Idaho Department of State Lands and a key leader in managing Montana’s state trust lands for the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation, Schultz has demonstrated that sustainable timber harvesting on public lands can both bolster the domestic wood products industry and generate family-wage jobs, while also maintaining healthy forests and providing critical funding for education and public services.
“Schultz also understands the urgency of the nation’s wildfire and smoke crisis and the need to work more closely with the states. With deep knowledge of federal land management and the workings of government, he is prepared to empower U.S. Forest Service staff to take meaningful action in restoring the health and resiliency of our National Forest System Lands. His expertise, leadership, and vision make him exceptionally well-qualified to serve as the next Chief of the U.S. Forest Service. The American Forest Resource Council looks forward to working with Chief Schultz to advance conservation efforts on federal lands and to restore the agency’s legacy of multiple-use management—caring for the land while serving the people.”