US Rep. LaMalfa supports bill dubbed Restoring Healthy Forests for Healthy Communities Act that calls for more timber cutting across national forests, but says it could encounter opposition from environmentalists

Wendy Lisney

LOS ANGELES , April 5, 2013 (Industry Intelligence Inc.) –

A bill dubbed Restoring Healthy Forests for Healthy Communities Act that calls for more timber cutting across national forests has gained the support of U.S. Rep. Doug LaMalfa, of California, the Chico Enterprise-Record reported April 4.

Introduced by U.S. Rep. Doc Hastings, of Washington state, the bill would mandate the thinning of at least half the sustainable yield of timber located in national forest areas that are considered commercial timber lands, according to committee spokeswoman Jill Strait.

LaMalfa said that the bill could encounter opposition from a few environmentalists, adding that forest-thinning measures prevent large wildfires and disease from devastating trees.

Strait said that logging on national forests has dropped by 80% in the last 30 years, citing lawsuits and federal regulations.

The bill also addresses giving 25% of money generated from logging to nearby counties, some of which use the funds for schools, roads and law enforcement, the Chico Enterprise-Record reported.

The primary source of this article is Chico Enterprise-Record, Chico, California, on April 4, 2013.

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