Forest Cooperation Sought
U.S. Senator John Barrasso has introduced bipartisan legislation that would allow the U.S. Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management to work with state foresters to complete projects that cross ownership boundaries. Barrasso says there an increase in the health needs of forests across the West, especially in Wyoming where the bark beetle outbreak threatens thousands of acres of forest. Barrasso explains that the bill would bring state and federal agencies together to complete projects on private, state and federal lands. Currently, only Colorado and Utah benefit from Good Neighbor authority. In all other western states, State and federal agencies manage their lands separately. Says Barrasso (quoting now) “Forest health issues do not stop at fence lines—neither should our policy.” The Good Neighbor Forestry Act is co-sponsored by Senators Tim Johnson of South Dakota, John Thune of South Dakota, Mike Lee of Utah, and Wyoming Senator Mike Enzi.
