Bipartisan Efforts Target Forest Management and Wildfire Threat Post-Election
Following the November election, there is a renewed bipartisan push in Washington to address critical issues such as the growing threat of wildfire and the declining health of America’s federal forests. Lawmakers from both parties are seeking common ground to solve these problems, which have been exacerbated by decades of 'no-touch' management leading to overstocked forests. In January 2025, 64 House Democrats joined Republicans in supporting legislation to improve forest management and accelerate restoration work. Recent bipartisan cooperation has also led to legislation, supported by Democratic Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez and Republican Rep. Russ Fulcher, becoming law, expanding opportunities for counties and tribes to manage federal forests and reinvest timber revenues in restoration projects. Oregon Democratic Senator Jeff Merkley and Republican Congressman Cliff Bentz have also introduced legislation to expand opportunities for converting woody material from forest management projects into renewable ...
