February 21, 2025 HFHC News Round Up
Governor Gianforte: DNRC Places Nearly 130,000 Acres Under Management in First Term (Gianforte Press)
Governor Greg Gianforte today announced Montana’s Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) placed nearly 130,000 forested acres under management since he took office. “DNRC has demonstrated its commitment to safeguard our forests, communities, and natural resources,” Gov. Gianforte said. “The benefits of active forest management are clear and extend far beyond just protecting our forests from wildfires and disease – it creates healthier habitats for wildlife, improves water quality, and supports good-paying jobs.”
Trump hands off NEPA to agencies (Greenwire)
The Trump White House scrapped decades worth of rules Thursday for how to conduct reviews under the National Environmental Policy Act. In its place, the administration offered up voluntary guidance that some worry could cut out public comment and sow confusion as agencies — tasked with overseeing everything from bridges to battery plants — chart their own paths. The Council on Environmental Quality unveiled an interim final rule that rescinds almost 50 years worth of rules, a move that falls in line with Trump’s “Unleashing American Energy” executive order, which revoked the 1977 order that originally authorized the CEQ to churn out NEPA rules. The rule is slated to take effect immediately upon being published in the Federal Register without public comment. CEQ also unveiled voluntary guidance for hundreds of agencies to follow with the goal of expediting and simplifying permitting. Overall, the document, signed by CEQ chief of staff Katherine Scarlett, shifts responsibility from CEQ’s overarching rules to agencies’ individual procedures, which must now be updated. (Subscription Required)
Trump Order Fast-Tracks Projects That Would Damage Wetlands, Environmental Groups Say (Inside Climate)
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has marked for fast-track review more than 600 permit applications for projects under President Donald Trump’s “Declaring a National Energy Emergency” executive order that would disturb critical wetlands and waterways, environmental groups warned Wednesday. The projects include a 37-mile crude oil pipeline in Louisiana that would affect some 234 acres of wetlands, including marshes near the Sabine National Wildlife Refuge. Another project involves a crude oil pipeline beneath Lake Michigan, a drinking water source for more than 10 million people.
USDA Cuts Over $100M In DEI Consulting Contracts. (The Hotshot Wake Up)
It seems like the agencies are cutting everything this month. There was an Angencies-wide termination of thousands of employees, which I think was done without fully considering the effects. As I expressed on last week’s show, it screwed a lot of people over who are directly involved in wildfire response, even if they are not considered primary fire. They are also cutting contracts with private-sector companies for consulting and advising work. Consequently, billions of dollars are leaving the Agencies and going to private-sector consulting firms, while claiming they have massive budget issues every year. Important: Many of the board members and founders of these companies that received over $100M for DEI contracts held federal positions at USDA, FEMA, DHS, TSA, Executive positions at The European Union, and more before joining and creating these advising firms.
Judge keeps hold on Trump spending freeze (E&E News)
A federal judge has extended a temporary restraining order on President Donald Trump’s freeze on federal aid programs as she considers whether to further impose an injunction on the government. Judge Loren AliKhan of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, who heard arguments Thursday over the White House’s sweeping pause on federal funding and grants, appeared skeptical of the government’s argument that an injunction isn’t necessary. Lawyers for nonprofit and public health groups who sued over the freeze urged AliKhan to impose an injunction that would prevent the Office of Management and Budget from continuing with efforts to impose an across-the-board freeze on existing contracts. (Subscription Required)
Senate approves resolution seeking to protect Black Hills (SDPB)
The Senate passed a resolution Wednesday to promote the long-term health and viability of the Black Hills National Forest. Brought by Spearfish Republican Sen. Randy Deibert, the bill was widely supported. Though that doesn’t mean it went without questions. Oglala Lakota Democratic Sen. Red Dawn Foster questioned issues like tribal involvement in the long-term forest plan and the treatment of old growth trees. Deibert said tribal involvement is important to plans moving forward. “The tribes have a cooperative agency status that is above and beyond the local governments, so they will have a seat at the table on any action taken in the Hills,” Deibert said. “Now, the old growth – that’s part of the management plan too. They have guidelines in the management plan too when they do a harvest to acknowledge that growth and other unique situations.”
Bennet, Hickenlooper, Crow, Wyden, Gallego, Rosen Reintroduce Bill to Combat Intensifying Wildfires and Drought Across the American West (Bennet Press)
U.S. Senators Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture’s Subcommittee on Conservation, Forestry, Natural Resources, and Biotechnology, Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.) and U.S. Representative Jason Crow (D-Colo.) reintroduced the Protect the West Act to make a $60 billion investment in forests across the West to reduce wildfire risk, restore watersheds, protect communities, and reduce wildfire suppression costs.
Secretary Rollins Releases the First Tranche of Funding Under Review (AgClips)
Today, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins announced that USDA will release the first tranche of funding that was paused due to the review of funding in the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). In alignment with White House directives, Secretary Rollins will honor contracts that were already made directly to farmers. Specifically, USDA is releasing approximately $20 million in contracts for the Environmental Quality Incentive Program, the Conservation Stewardship Program, and the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program.
Environmental nonprofit says Trump cuts could threaten Oregon’s spotted owl population (KGW)
An environmental nonprofit is sounding the alarm over the federal funding cuts and hiring freeze instituted by President Donald Trump’s administration, which it said could threaten the population of Oregon’s endangered spotted owl. The widespread layoffs and cuts instituted by the Trump administration have set off a series of protests across the country and around Portland, some of which have focused specifically on the thousands of U.S. National Parks and Forest Service workers who have been fired.
Unions sue over probationary employee terminations (E&E News)
Unions representing federal workers are suing the Trump administration over its move to fire so-called probationary employees across the government. The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, argues that the Office of Personnel Management violated the law by ordering federal agencies across the country to “wipe out their ranks of probationary employees without any regard to applicable statutes.” Federal agencies in recent days have moved to terminate probationary employees, including new hires as well as long-term staffers who switched jobs or agencies. The terminations come as part of a broader Trump administration push to dramatically downsize the federal workforce.
‘Understaffed to begin with’ | Forest Service employee fired during federal layoffs voices concerns (WCNC)
Former U.S. Forest Service worker Jennifer Bunty was among thousands terminated during the Trump administration’s effort to reduce government spending, leaving vital environmental and disaster recovery work potentially understaffed. “We lost 14 people, then there were three more of us that were terminated,” Bunty said. “My performance reviews have always been excellent, so I’m not sure what performance it’s referring to.”The termination notice stated the agency found “based on your performance that you have not demonstrated that your further employment at the agency would be in the public interest.” The cuts come as western North Carolina communities continue recovery efforts following Hurricane Helene, with concerns about increased wildfire risks due to downed trees. “I am really concerned about the wildfire season, especially with the fuel loading from Helene. We have so many trees down,” Bunty said.
U.S. Forest Service Layoffs Threaten EXPLORE Act Implementation in Arkansas (Arkansas Outside)
The recent decision by the Trump administration to terminate approximately 3,400 U.S. Forest Service employees—constituting about 10% of its workforce—has raised significant concerns regarding implementing the EXPLORE Act in Arkansas, particularly within the Ozark-St. Francis and Ouachita National Forests. These workforce reductions, primarily affecting probationary employees involved in essential fieldwork such as trail maintenance and wildfire mitigation, are poised to impact the agency’s capacity to manage and develop outdoor recreation infrastructure.
Why So Much Public Land? (CATO)
Listen: The Washington Post recently analyzed the role of federal land in constraining new housing construction in Las Vegas. About 1.5 million homes could be built on developable federal land within two miles of the Las Vegas city limits alone. The article described a policy innovation developed by Sen. Harry M. Reid (D‑NV) that allows the Bureau of Land Management to sell land within a specific ring around Las Vegas. But the article did not explore the more fundamental question: Why is there so much federally owned land in the western United States? The Bureau of Land Management administers 85 percent of Nevada, 57 percent of Utah, and nearly 50 percent or more of Arizona, Idaho, and Oregon.
George Wuerthner: Why Tribal Co-Management Is A Threat to Our Public Lands (Wildlife News)
Given the wrecking ball the Trump administration is taking to our public lands and public values, it might seem trivial to worry about tribal co-management. Our public lands are among the most democratic of American institutions. Every American has a right to voice their opinion about public lands management, but no group should be elevated and given more authority over how our public lands are managed. Unfortunately, co-management does exactly that. However, tribal co-management is part of a long-term goal of garnering control of public lands and assets like wildlife. It is an attack on the fundamental value of public lands. It is part of a movement that sees tribes as victims and public lands as a form of “colonialism” and cultural “genocide.”
Scientists decode the DNA of one of America’s most iconic trees, the white oak (PhysOrg)
Highly valued economically, ecologically and culturally, the white oak (Quercus alba) is a keystone forest species and is one of the most abundant trees across much of eastern North America. It also faces declining seedling recruitment in many parts of its range. In a paper published in New Phytologist, researchers representing the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture, Indiana University, the University of Kentucky, the U.S. Forest Service and several more institutions describe for the first time the species’ complex genome, providing insights into fundamental questions about plant evolution, tree breeding and genetic improvement efforts that could help forest managers plan for and address future forest resources.
ICE detained 9 employees at a Tupper Lake lumber mill this week, parent company says (NCPR)
Immigrations and Customs Enforcement conducted a raid at a Tupper Lake lumber mill earlier this week. “We can confirm that the Tupper Lake Pine Mill, owned by the Matra Group, was subject to an ICE raid this past Tuesday,” Matra Co-President and Director of Manufacturing Operations Nicholas Drouin said in a statement to NCPR. Tupper Lake Village Police Chief Eric Proulx also confirmed the “immigration enforcement operation” at the mill, first reported by the Adirondack Daily Enterprise. The ICE raid comes as the Trump administration is cracking down on undocumented immigrants.
Florence County considers forestry management offer (Iron Mountain Daily News)
Florence County is considering consider an offer to sell carbon credits on its forest lands after hearing a presentation from Jeremy Koslowski from Climate Trust. The non-profit carbon developer based in Portland, Ore., formed in 1997 with staff working across the country to help landowners access carbon markets. Carbon credits are purchased by companies looking to offset their carbon production. In Florence County, Climate Trust is proposing a forest management project where Climate Trust would work with the county on practices for its nearly 40,000 acres of forests.
Unleashing the potential of carbon: Blue Forest and Vibrant Planet prove carbon revenues can cover wildfire risk mitigation in California (Vibrant Planet)
Blue Forest and Vibrant Planet scientists found that over a span of 25 years, ecological forest treatments (ex: prescribed burns, thinning) designed to reduce fuel loads and fire severity can lead to more stable carbon storage–to the tune of 35 metrics tons of CO2 equivalent per acre–compared to forests left untreated. Ecological treatments reduce wildfire severity by 78% within five years after treatment. Treatments enhance carbon storage resilience by promoting the survival and growth of fire-resilient large trees.
Timber Tech: The Future of Forestry with Miller Timber Services (Tomorrow’s World Today)
Listen: Matt Mattioda, Senior VP of CTL Systems & Chief Forester at Miller Timber Services, takes us on a journey deep into the landscape of modern forestry. Discover how advanced technology and sustainable practices are shaping the future of timber harvesting and forest management.
While camping in the early Wisconsin wilderness, a perfect site for a sawmill was found (Sheboygan Press)
Back in 1843, Thomas J. Townsend and a friend accidentally discovered the site for a sawmill while camping in the Wisconsin wilderness. That camping spot happened to be where Greenbush would eventually develop as a community. Townsend sold his claim to Sylvanus Wade, owner of the Wade House, who would then sell that claim to his son-in-law, Charles Robinson. Robinson designed and built major properties in the village, including the Greenbush United Methodist Church, the Wade House and the Butternut House.
**Miss a day? A 20-day archive of the HFHC News Round Up is available here.**
