Federal old-growth forests to be fostered instead of logged - MLive.com

Federal old-growth forests to be fostered instead of logged - mlive.com

Old-growth forests on federal lands across the nation are getting renewed attention – and being spared the ax – under an executive order by President Joe Biden.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture officials announced plans to amend all 128 forestland management plans to conserve and steward old-growth forests on national forests and grasslands. That’s because of the combined benefits for the climate, biodiversity protection, reduced wildfire risk, and both cultural and recreational use by people.

Policy changes are expected to change the focus of forestry in these areas from growing trees for economic reasons – aka the timber industry – to instead foster the diverse ecological conditions in old-growth and mature forests.

Michigan is home to three national forests: Huron-Manistee in the Lower Peninsula, and the Hiawatha and Ottawa in the Upper Peninsula.

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“Old-growth forests are a vital part of our ecosystems and a special cultural resource. This proposed nationwide forest plan amendment – the first in the agency’s history – is an important step in conserving these national treasures,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, in a statement.

“Climate change is presenting new threats like historic droughts and catastrophic wildfire. This clear direction will help our old-growth forests thrive across our shared landscape.”

Healthy, old-growth forests are considered climate resilient because they store large amounts of carbon.

Updates to the federal forestland management plans are expected to use both the best available science and traditional ecological knowledge by Indigenous experts. Officials said the goal is to provide consistent direction for old-growth forest conditions on national lands.

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White House Council on Environmental Quality Chairperson Brenda Mallory said the Biden administration is acting to conserve and restore old-growth forests so nature can continue to be a key climate solution.

“Our forests absorb carbon dioxide equivalent to more than 10% of our nation’s annual greenhouse gas emissions,” Mallory said.

Work began in June 2022 on the first nationwide inventory of old-growth and mature forests on national lands. The report showed the USDA’s Forest Service manages nearly 25 million acres of old growth and more than 68 million acres of mature forests on national lands.

An additional climate threat analysis for mature and old-growth forests on federal lands remains underway.

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Officials said this planned policy change on lands managed by the Forest Service was informed by public comments shared during forestry rulemaking earlier this year.

More details about the policy change can be found here, including an online platform to submit public comments. Hard copy letters may be submitted to: Ecosystem Management Coordination Director, 201 Fourteenth St. SW, Mailstop 1108, Washington, DC, 20250-1124.

Officials said comments are most valuable to the agency if received by Feb. 2, 2024.