Use of controlled burns should be 'thoroughly examined' says Missouri US Sen. Roy Blunt after harvestable timber was 'inadvertently destroyed' in Mark Twain National Forest, meets with US Forest Service to ensure harvesting remains a management priority

Wendy Lisney

WASHINGTON , December 3, 2013 (press release) – U.S. Senator Roy Blunt (Mo.) and U.S. Representative Jason Smith (Mo.) met with Kathleen Atkinson, the Eastern Regional Forester for the U.S. Forest Service, this week regarding concerns over controlled burns and timber management in the Mark Twain National Forest.

“Forestry is an important economic engine in rural Missouri, and many families and local businesses rely on the Mark Twain National Forest for resources including timber, wood products, agriculture, and recreation,” said Blunt. “Congressman Smith and I are working with the Forest Service to ensure that timber harvest remains a management priority and that the utility of controlled burns is thoroughly examined, so the Mark Twain National Forest can continue to benefit our state.”

“Roy and I have both toured areas of the Mark Twain where ‘controlled burns’ have inadvertently destroyed harvestable timber,” said Smith. “We would like to see a management strategy from the Forest Service that prevents harvestable timber from being destroyed, and also ensures that local governments and school districts will continue to benefit as much as possible from timber sales.”

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