Trump Administration Calls for Increased Logging on Federal Lands

The Trump administration has issued an executive order aimed at expanding domestic timber production on federal lands, a move that has drawn support from industry professionals while raising questions about implementation challenges, Gillette News Record reports.

The order, titled “Immediate Expansion of American Timber Production,” highlights the need for active forest management to reduce wildfire risks and support domestic timber needs. It argues that federal regulations have made the US reliant on foreign timber producers, with estimates suggesting that 70% of US wood product purchases come from Canada and other countries.

While local loggers, such as Joe Landsiedel of JL and Sons Logging in Buffalo, Wyoming, support the policy’s intent, many emphasize the lack of infrastructure to meet the proposed increase in timber harvesting. Landsiedel noted that sawmills and processing facilities have declined significantly since the 1980s, leaving Wyoming with limited capacity for large-scale logging projects.

The Secretary of Agriculture’s recent memo designates over 112.6 million acres of national forest land as high risk for wildfire, insect infestations, or disease outbreaks. The memo authorizes:

• A 25% increase in timber production,

• Expanded hiring and contracting for the US Forest Service,

• A streamlined National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process for quicker approvals.

The Bighorn National Forest and other Wyoming forests are among those identified for immediate action. However, Landsiedel pointed out that loggers often struggle to find processing facilities, sometimes traveling 300 miles to the nearest mill in Montana.

Wyoming State Forester Kelly Norris echoed concerns about the lack of industry infrastructure. While acknowledging the importance of wildfire prevention, Norris emphasized the need to maintain existing sawmills and explore strategies to expand timber production responsibly.

Recent wildfires, such as the 98,000-acre Elk Fire in Sheridan County, have underscored the need for strategic logging and forest thinning. Norris noted that areas previously logged were less affected by the fire, highlighting the benefits of active forest management.

The policy shift has also been discussed in the Wyoming Legislature’s Joint Agriculture Committee, where forestry experts reviewed current and future timber projects. Some industry leaders, like Neiman Enterprises CEO Jim Neiman, argue that additional timber harvesting is essential to sustaining the forest products industry in the region.

Additionally, bipartisan legislation known as the “Fix Our Forests Act” has been introduced in Congress. If passed, the bill would streamline forest management project permits, potentially complementing the executive order.