Begich Welcomes Action on Farm Bill Forestry Provision

Press Release

U.S. Senator Mark Begich welcomed today's announcement from U.S. Department of Agriculture that certain Alaska national forest lands have been given a special designation to allow quicker response to insect and disease outbreaks. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced the selection of 45 million acres on 94 national forests in 35 states that will be eligible for expedited forest treatments. In Alaska, this includes part of the Chugach National Forest on the Kenai Peninsula and another area on Kupreanof and Mitkof Islands in the Tongass National Forest.

"I'm glad that we've finally been able to break through the federal red tape so that Alaskans will be able to better manage their forests," said Begich. "Healthy forests help sustain local economies. Alaskans know how to keep these forest lands thriving. Today's announcement means one more layer of bureaucracy has been peeled away, and I am glad to see this provision in action."

The 2014 Farm Bill, signed into law this February, allows the Forest Service, working with the state and local communities, to authorize treatment of up to 3,000 acres of insect- and disease-threatened trees using a National Environmental Policy Act categorical exclusion. The expedited authority may only be used for projects planned collaboratively with local communities and that follow strict environmental stipulations. It also provides no exemptions from the Endangered Species Act, the Clean Water Act, or the National Environmental Protection Act.

"While this comes too late to help with the worst of spruce bark beetle infestation, it's a good tool to have as we move forward managing problem areas. This will help clear away some of the spruce bark beetle kill that has increased wildfire risk over the past two decades."

In order to be eligible for designation, an area must meet certain requirements. Any areas designated must meet at least one of the following criteria:

The area is experiencing declining forest health based on annual forest health surveys, or
The area is at risk of experiencing substantially increased tree mortality over the next 15 years due to insect and disease infestation based on the National Insect and Disease Risk Map, or
The area is in an area where hazard trees pose imminent risk to public infrastructure, health or safety.

The provision only allows treatments of areas up to 3,000 acres in size, and the Insect and Disease Area Designation itself does require any or all of the designated area to be treated in any fashion.

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