Page 29 - Georgia Forestry - Issue3 - Summer 2021
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reduce greenhouse gas emissions. As the committee of jurisdiction over the U.S. Forest Service, we must also seek out ways to support the role public lands play in mitigating climate change. Last year, the country witnessed one of the worst wildfire years in recorded history. In many areas, forests will be unable to return on their own. To that end, another important policy change I’m looking at is lifting the cap on the Reforestation Trust Fund to make funding available to plant new trees. This funding could help reforest damaged areas, which would speed wildfire recovery while also sequestering significant amounts of carbon. So I think to answer your question, it’s really just about getting that message out and letting Georgia’s foresters and forest landowners know that they have a partner leading the Agriculture Committee.
What is Congress considering in regard to wildfire management?
AMERICAN FOREST
MANAGEMENT
The 2020 wildfire year was unprec-
edented. Our hearts go out to all the
families impacted by the fires and I am
grateful for the courageous firefighters
who placed themselves in danger’s way
to help put them down. Over 10 million
acres burned nationwide — and more
acres burned across National Forest
System lands than during the Big Burn
of 1910. Unfortunately, current weather
and fuel conditions point to another long
and difficult wildfire year. As the House
Agriculture Committee, it is vital that we ensure the agency has the person-
nel and the proper resources in place to help prepare for and suppress fires. I also
welcome President Biden’s proposal to increase funding for hazardous fuels and forest resilience projects.
You have been a strong
voice for jobs throughout your career in Congress. Where do you see agriculture — and, more specifically, forestry — in that?
Like the agriculture industry, the U.S. forestry sector is a vital economic engine. It contributes approximately $300 billion to the national economy while support- ing 2.5 million jobs across the entire supply chain. In our state of Georgia, we have more than 24 million acres of private and public forest land. This land
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