Reforming Federal Forest Policy
Each summer, our forested communities face catastrophic fires that burn through overstocked forests, choke our skies with smoke, destroy watersheds, and threaten property and lives. It is clear the status quo isn’t working for our forests or our communities, and that’s why I continue to support reforms.
I worked hard with my colleagues to pass into law the most significant reforms to forest policy in over 15 years. We provide additional tools to more rapidly thin our forests to reduce the risk of wildfire. Rather than forcing the Forest Service to rob from fire prevention funds for firefighting, we instead pay for wildfires as we do other natural disasters. This will help ensure we get more of the needed thinning and prevention work done.
These reforms are an important step towards better management of our forests, but much more work remains.
More on Reforming Federal Forest Policy
House passes Walden bill to protect Crooked River Ranch
Crooked River Ranch Fire Protection Act aims to reduce risk of wildfire for local community
Greg Walden applauds $14 million in Secure Rural Schools payments for Oregon
Program provides important resources for county services in rural Oregon
Greg Walden secures key priorities for Oregon
Supports House passage of government funding measure
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River) released the following statement after the House passed a government funding measure that included key priorities for Oregon:
Greg Walden secures forest management reform, resources for Oregon counties in government funding measure
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River) issued the following statement after securing forest management reform and resources for Oregon’s rural counties in the government funding measure released today:
Mail Tribune: Seeking common ground
By Nick Morgan
U.S. Rep. Greg Walden touched on early efforts to reach across the aisle and across legislative branches to change the way forests are managed at a meeting with local business leaders.
Year-in-Review: Greg Walden’s top seven legislative wins for Oregon in 2017
Greg Walden: “It’s important we work together to protect our public lands”
Walden stressed that he will not support action to remove millions of acres of America’s public lands
Greg Walden statement on recommendations for Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument
Secretary Zinke Sends Nearly $20 Million in Timber Dollars to Rural Oregon, Doubles Down on Commitment to Future Harvests
For the fifth time in as many years, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill Wednesday that would expedite certain forest thinning projects to lower the risk of destructive wildfires across the country.