Murphy – A White House executive order calling for an increase in timber production could have economic impacts on Cherokee County, but after years of industry dormancy, the county has some catching up.
“Restrictions on logging must be loosened to allow a resurgence of the logging industry in our county,” according to the petition, which was signed by all five county commissioners.
“Our last sawmill has now closed. Logging is an important source of income for our citizens and provides tax income for the county. “The Forest Service is not capable of maintaining roads and property it now owns,” according to the petition. “This limits citizen access to forest areas for recreation and hampers wildlife control.”
The petition accuses the U.S. Forest Service, which manages about a third of Cherokee County’s acreage, of “windshield management” – managing its property from the cab of a truck. It also objects to proposed and existing wilderness designations, which severely limits access and activities.
“The USFS cannot handle the land it now owns,” according to the petition. “Our citizens must have access to our forest land for all types of logging, recreation, hunting and fishing.”
Proposed by Dr. Dan Eichenbaum, chairman of the board of commissioners, the petition lacks the force of law but may tap in to President Donald Trump Administration’s sensitivity to overreach by federal agencies.
Federal bureaucracy has, over time and without remedy, deprived the citizens of Cherokee County of their “respective and collective rights to utilize property within the borders of the county,” according to the petition.
Cherokee County consists of 298,482 acres, of which the U.S. Forest Service manages 31% – a total of 92,637 acres – mainly within the boundaries of the Nantahala National Forest.
Executive order
Trump signed an executive order to immediately increase domestic timber production and streamline federal policies to enhance forest management, reduce wildfire risks, and decrease reliance on imported timber.
The order calls for new or updated agency guidance to facilitate increased timber production, sound forest management, reduced delivery times and decreased timber supply uncertainty.
It cuts red tape in order to streamline timber production and identifies measures to boost timber sales from public lands. It also pushes for quicker approvals under the Endangered Species Act so forestry projects are not delayed by slow reviews.
Timber production is essential for the construction, energy, manufacturing and shipping industries, according to White House officials.
“The United States has an abundance of timber resources that can more than meet domestic timber production needs, but burdensome federal policies have prevented full utilization of these resources while the unfair trade practices of exporters into our country are depressing demand,” according to a release from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the parent agency of the U.S. Forest Service.
The United States imports billions of dollars’ worth of lumber annually, which could be produced domestically, according to the statement.
On April 4, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins issued a Secretarial Memo to establish an “Emergency Situation Determination” on 112.6 million acres of National Forestry System land.
This memo comes on the heels of Trump’s Executive Order to expand American timber production by 25%. It will empower the Forest Service to expedite work on the ground and carry out authorized emergency actions to reduce wildfire risk, saving American lives and communities.
Forest emergency
“Healthy forests require work, and right now, we’re facing a national forest emergency. We have an abundance of timber at high risk of wildfires in our national forests,” Rollins said.
The memo is part of a larger effort to ensure American resources are properly managed for generations to come. This work will support rural economies, reduce wildfire risk, and build capacity through workforce alignment and expanded partnerships, Rollins said.
The memo will also spur immediate action from the U.S. Forest Service directing field leadership to increase timber outputs, simplify permitting, remove National Environmental Policy Act processes, reduce implementation and contracting burdens, and to work directly with states, local government, and forest product producers to ensure that the Forest Service delivers a reliable and consistent supply of timber.
Under the Trump administration, the U.S. Forest Service has undergone significant changes, primarily focused on increasing timber production and streamlining forest management.
Key aspects of the Trump plan for the U.S. Forest Service:
- Increased timber production: A central goal was to expand domestic timber production, with a target of a 25% increase. This was driven by the aim to reduce reliance on imported timber and boost the domestic timber industry, according to a White House fact sheet.
- Streamlined forest management: The administration sought to expedite forest management practices, including reducing what it deemed as “burdensome regulations”. This included streamlining permitting processes and potentially reducing environmental reviews.
- Wildfire risk reduction: The plan aimed to reduce wildfire risks by increasing active forest management, such as thinning and prescribed burns. The administration argued that these measures would improve forest health and resilience.
- Emergency actions: The administration invoked emergency authorities to implement some of these changes, citing wildfire risk and timber supply concerns. This allowed for bypassing certain environmental regulations and fast-tracking projects.
Environmental concerns
Environmental groups expressed concerns about potential negative impacts on ecosystems and wildlife due to increased logging and reduced environmental reviews. They also raised concerns about the potential for habitat loss and impacts on some endangered species.
The plan sparked debate about the balance between resource extraction and conservation on public lands. Critics argued that the focus on timber production could come at the expense of other forest values, such as recreation and watershed protection.
The Trump administration also planned to redirect the Forest Service’s scientific work toward timber and wildfire and away from other areas, like forest ecology and climate change, according to published reports.