an emergency situation on National Forest System lands, including the Monongahela National Forest. The
memo was in response to an executive order released by President Trump on March 1 (Immediate Expansion of
American Timber Production).
By: Lydia Crawley The Parsons Advocate
The United States Department of Agriculture Office of the Secretary in Washington D.C. released a memo from Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins dated April 3rd in which effective immediately, the department would increase the production of timber and designate an emergency situation on national forest system lands, which are slated to include the Monongahela National Forest.
The Forest Service manages 144 million forested acres in 43 states, including over 100,000 acres of the Monongahela National Forest in Tucker County. Of the 144 million acres, the Forest Service memo states that 43 million acres have been identified as suitable for timber production. There was no information available as to what number of acres in Tucker County were slated for timber production.
The memo quoted a 2023 study by Wildfire Hazard Potential for the United States that identified 66,940,000 acres of National Forest Service lands that were high or very high fire risk. A further 78,800,000 acres of NFS lands, the memo stated were at risk or already experiencing insect or disease infestations. “These threats – combined with overgrown forests, a growing number of homes in the wildland-urban interface, and more than a century of rigorous fire suppression – have all contributed to what is now a full-blown wildfire and forest health crisis,” the memo writes.
The memo states that immediate response is needed to protect public health, safety and critical infrastructure, as well as the rural communities that surround the forests and protect the forests.
Emergency actions outlined in the memo include salvage of dead or dying trees, harvest of trees damaged by wind or ice, sanitation harvest of trees to control insects or disease, reforestation or replanting of fire impacted areas, removal of hazardous trees in close proximity to roads and trails, removal of hazardous fuels, restoration of water sources or infrastructure, reconstruction of existing utility lines and replacement of underground cables.
The memo was a response to an Executive Order by President Trump from March 1st titled Immediate Expansion of American Timber Production (EO 14225). In the EO, the President writes that the production of timber and timber products are essential to the well being of the nation and that the United States is abundant in timber resources that exceed our domestic need, “but heavy handed Federal policies have prevented full utilization of these resources and made us reliant on foreign producers.”
The EO further states, “Our inability to fully exploit our domestic timber supply has impeded the creation of jobs and prosperity, contributed to wildfire disasters, degraded fish and wildlife habitats, increased the cost of construction and energy, and threatened our economic security.”
The EO outlines a timeline with deadlines at 30, 60, 90, 120, 180, and 280 days for adoption of various tasks including increasing timber production, reducing time to deliver timber, decreasing timber supply uncertainty, complete a strategy for forest management by working with the Endangered Species Act and categorizing timber thinning.
The EO outlines streamlined permitting guidelines for relevant agencies along with an Endangered Species Committee to examine the “timely consideration of exemption applications where possible.”
Executive Director of the Tucker County Development Authority Steven Leyh said he sees timber as intrinsically tied to the history of Tucker County. However, he is cautious of what the memo and declaration will mean for the future of Tucker County and its woodlands.
“Here in West Virginia, forestry is both a cultural tradition and a key part of our economy, particularly in the hardwood sector,” Leyh said. “Through my work, I’ve seen how responsible timber production can support jobs, strengthen supply chains and attract investment. If implemented thoughtfully, this initiative could help boost our regional economy and reinforce the long-term viability of our forest products industry.”
Leyh went on to say, “That said, it remains to be seen how this will impact Tucker County specifically. The emergency designation streamlines some environmental review processes, so it’s essential that any increased activity comes with transparency, local input and a commitment to sustainability. West Virginians take great pride in their public lands – not just for economic value, but for recreation, tourism and quality of life.”
Judy Rodd, Director of Friends of the Blackwater, said she feels that the increased logging activity will be detrimental to the area and increase flooding, damage infrastructure and endanger wildlife such as the bats, the Cheat salamander, WV northern flying squirrel and brook trout.
“It will be a disaster,” Rodd said. “It will increase flooding, damaging people’s houses and our roads. It will also flood the market with cheap trees, hurting private property owners who will have to sell their timber at rock bottom prices. The whole Blackwater Watershed is particularly prone to flooding due to steep slopes and has the highest amount of rainfall in the State of West Virginia. It is a mistake to do this. There is no disaster in our our eastern forest.”
The Parsons Advocate reached out to the Monongahela National Forest for comment, but have not received a reply as of press time.
