Ian Brickey, ian.brickey@sierraclub.org
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today marks the closing of a public comment period seeking input on a proposed plan that could protect the last remaining old-growth trees in the United States.
The United States Forest Service concluded a 90-day comment period on its proposed National Old Growth Amendment. The amendment would update management plans overseeing 122 national forests across the country to protect the oldest trees from commercial logging. Hundreds of thousands of people submitted comments, the vast majority of which urged USFS to act to protect old growth trees and mature forests, older trees that will age into old growth if left standing.
It is the latest action in the Biden Administration’s effort to protect old growth, which began with a 2022 executive order to identify, inventory, and protect old-growth forests on federal lands.
Only a fraction of the country’s old growth forests remain standing, but they do not currently enjoy any federal protections from logging. Recent studies have confirmed the unparalleled ability of mature and old growth trees to absorb and store carbon pollution.
As written, the policy offers significant exceptions that would allow continued logging of old-growth trees, and does not include protections for mature forests. USFS will now review the submitted public comments for changes to the proposed amendment. A final policy is expected in January 2025.
In response, Sierra Club Forest Campaign Manager Alex Craven released the following statement:
“Today, hundreds of thousands of people reasserted what we have known for a long time: protecting old-growth forests is extremely popular and woefully overdue. As written, the agency’s draft policy falls well short of what we need and what was intended - but it’s not too late to get it back on track and safeguard these trees and forests. It’s now up to the agency to fulfill the President’s commitments, and listen to the hundreds of thousands of Americans who want to see old-growth forests protected.”
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with millions of members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.