American Loggers Council Outlines Priorities for New President, Congress

The American Loggers Council (ALC) today outlined key priorities for the 115th United States Congress and the Trump Administration’s first two years. As the national organization representing America’s professional timber harvesters, ALC believes the new Congress and President should take advantage of an historic opportunity to protect and create family-wage jobs. “Voters sent a clear message that it’s time to put Americans back to work, and strengthening the forest products industry is one way to accomplish that goal in communities across the country,” said Daniel Dructor, ALC Executive Vice President. “Professional timber harvesters provide the raw materials that supports manufacturing jobs in many sectors, from lumber to renewable energy. Many logging companies are small, family-owned businesses. To keep American loggers working in the woods, President Trump and Congress should pursue reforms in federal regulations and land management, as well as labor, transportation and energy policies.” ALC’s top priorities include: Regulatory Accountability Act: The American Loggers Council joins the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in supporting swift action on Regulatory Accountability Act that has already been approved by the U.S. House of Representatives (HR 5). The legislation builds on established principles of fair regulatory process and review that have been embodied in bipartisan executive orders dating to at least the Clinton administration. The Act would make the regulatory process more transparent, agencies more accountable for their decisions, and regulations better-tailored to achieve their purpose without unnecessary burdens on stakeholders. Federal Forest Management Reform: Much of America’s forest land is controlled by the federal government. While a large portion of federally-owned forests are non-reserved and suitable for sustainable timber production, harvest levels on federal lands remain low. With up to 80 million acres of federal forest land vulnerable to wildfire, insects and disease, and in need of treatment, ALC supports reforms to increase the pace and scale of forest projects. ALC supports sensible reforms to the National Environmental Policy Act and Endangered Species Act, and supports giving the U.S. Forest Service adequate resources to prepare and implement forest projects...more