Senate hearings focus on forest management, litigation impact and wildfire prevention measures

The U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources held a hearing on July 11, 2025, to discuss the U.S. Forest Service's budget request for fiscal year 2026. Key discussions centered around forest management, wildfire prevention, and the impact of litigation on forest service operations.

Senator Steve Daines emphasized the need for Congress to enhance the Forest Service's capabilities to prevent wildfires through better forest management and reduced litigation. He highlighted a recent law signed by President Trump that mandates the Forest Service to nearly double annual timber sales by 2034, aiming for approximately 250 million board feet in Montana and 5 billion board feet nationally. Daines urged Chief Randy Schultz to prioritize this provision to improve forest health and community resilience against wildfires.

Chief Schultz confirmed the commitment to implement the new timber sales requirement, noting that the increase would be 250 million board feet annually over the next decade. Daines also raised concerns about the "Cottonwood decision," which he argued hinders wildfire mitigation efforts due to ongoing litigation. He proposed a legislative fix to streamline processes and reduce the backlog of timber projects currently stalled in court.

The discussion also touched on the expanded emergency action authority granted to the Forest Service, which allows for quicker responses to forest health crises. Schultz reported that this authority now covers 112 million acres at risk of catastrophic fire or disease, enabling more proactive management.

Senator Martin Heinrich questioned the budget's impact on the Forest Service's ability to manage hazardous fuels reduction, noting that the agency is behind its goals for the year. He expressed concern that the current budget could lead to increased wildfire risks due to fewer resources. Schultz reassured Heinrich that while the fuels program would shift to the Department of the Interior, the funding would remain intact, and efforts would continue to meet hazardous fuels treatment objectives.

The hearing underscored the urgency of addressing forest management challenges as the nation faces increasing wildfire threats. The committee's discussions highlighted the need for legislative support to enhance the Forest Service's operational efficiency and effectiveness in wildfire prevention and forest health management.