Washington, DC Update God Squad Forest Service Announces Agency Reorganization Forest Service Updates Timeline for Northwest Forest Plan Amendment and USDA Finalizes NEPA Regulations The AFRC Podcast Episode 55: Travis Joseph; A Reset for Western Oregon’s BLM O&C Timberlands BLM Proposes New Categorical Exclusions Tri-Forest Proposal Aims to Strengthen Timber Supply in Eastern Montana Oregon […]
News
New Tool Shows How Upthegrove’s 80,000-Acre Trust Land Layoff Disproportionately Impacts Rural Washington Communities
The American Forest Resource Council today announced the availability of a new public on-line tool, the “77,000 Acre Commissioner Order – Community Impact Calculator,” providing Washington communities and trust beneficiaries with a detailed look at the impacts of Commissioner Dave Upthegrove’s order to layoff nearly 80,000 acres of state trust lands from working status. The […]
Joint Statement on the Passing of Jim Dudley
The members of the Douglas Timber Operators (DTO), the American Forest Resource Council (AFRC), and the Oregon Forest Industries Council (OFIC) mourn the tragic passing of our dear friend and colleague, Jim Dudley. We extend our deepest sympathies and heartfelt condolences to his devoted wife, Michelle, and their sons, Cody and Jackson. Jim was a […]
March 2026 Newsletter
Washington, DC Update Farm Bill Fix our Forests Act, Permitting Reform Montana’s Daines and Zinke Announce Retirements National Industry Leaders Launch the Federal Timber Purchasers Coalition (FTPC) The AFRC Podcast Episode 54: OSU’s John Bailey talks climate, carbon and sustainable forestry Forest Service Proposes Rule to Amend the Objection Process BLM Proposes O&C Plan Revisions […]
AFRC Supports O&C Renewal Act to Restore Management of Western Oregon BLM Timberlands
The American Forest Resource Council (AFRC) today announced strong support for legislation introduced by U.S. Rep. Cliff Bentz (R-Oregon) to reaffirm the original intent of the federal O&C Act and restore responsible, sustainable management of more than two million acres of federal timberlands in western Oregon. The O&C Renewal Act clarifies that timber production under […]
AFRC Applauds Interior’s Decision to Revisit Western Oregon BLM O&C Management Plans
The American Forest Resource Council (AFRC) today welcomed the Department of the Interior’s Notice of Intent to initiate a revision of the Bureau of Land Management’s Resource Management Plans governing the O&C Lands in western Oregon. The action begins a long-overdue reassessment of the 2016 management plans that have constrained active forest management on more […]
Declining State Trust Land Timber Sales and Policy Decisions Are Worsening Washington DNR’s Budget Situation
Timber sale targets fall again as key DNR operating fund drops from $20 million to $5 million The Washington Department of Natural Resources’ (DNR) growing budget shortfall is being made significantly worse by continued reductions in timber harvests on state trust lands, driven by unilateral policy decisions from Commissioner of Public Lands Dave Upthegrove. Under […]
February 2026 Newsletter
Registration is Open: AFRC’s 2026 Annual Meeting, Skamania Lodge, April 7-9 Washington, DC Update Appropriations Farm Bill? Boren sworn in at USDA Forest Service Proposes Nationwide Post Fire EA Oregon District Court Sets Aside the Forest Service’s Timber Stand Improvement CE Forest Service Signs Decision on the Ellis Project The Partner Paradigm- Timber Contracting in […]
Honoring the Life and Legacy of Paul Beck
The American Forest Resource Council mourns the passing of Paul Beck, a respected leader whose decades of service left a lasting mark on the forest products industry and the communities it supports. AFRC President Travis Joseph reflected on Paul’s impact: “The American Forest Resource Council mourns the passing of Paul Beck. Through his life […]
January 2026 Newsletter
Washington, DC Update Fiscal Year 2026 Appropriations Permitting Reforms, SPEED Act Forestry Reforms, Fix our Forests Act Secure Rural Schools Passing of Congressman Doug LaMalfa The AFRC Podcast Episode 52: A Conversation with U.S. Forest Service Chief Tom Schultz AFRC President Urges Congress to Reform EAJA and End Subsidized Anti-Forestry Litigation Forest Service Wraps up […]