President Donald J. Trump recently signed Executive Order #14223 and Executive Order #14225 to "free up our forests" for timber harvesting and to protect related industries. These executive actions are a response to the overwhelming outcry for federal policy changes. The District 2 office of Supervisor George Turnboo recently sent letters and packets to the Whitehouse in an effort to encourage these types of policy changes. Our office is pleased with President Trump making such changes to federal policy regarding timber harvesting and forest management.
Executive Order #14225 entitled "Immediate Expansion of American Timber Production" provides a series of directives with deadlines intended to streamline permitting, avoid specific regulatory hurdles, improve timber production and ensure sound forest management. The United States has an abundance of timber resources to meet domestic demands, but heavy-handed Federal policies have prevented the full utilizations of timber resources and caused reliance on foreign producers. Reliance on foreign timber resources has caused loss of jobs, economic prosperity, contributes to wildfire disasters, degrades fish and wildlife habitats, increases construction and energy costs, and compromises our self-reliance as a nation. Increasing domestic timber production helps to protect national and economic security.
Executive Order #14223 entitled "Addressing the Threat to National Security From Imports of Timber, Lumber, and Their Derivative Products" provides for protections of industries surrounding timber harvesting, lumber production and derivative products. The policy change is intended to ensure reliable, secure, and resilient domestic supply chains of timber, lumber and derivative products. For example, the United States military spends over $10 Billion annually on construction that uses wood products such as cross-laminated timber.
For more information regarding President Trump executive orders, review the Federal Register or Whitehouse website. The District 2 office of Supervisor George Turnboo looks forward to increased local timber harvesting, lumber and improved forest management policies.
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