The Biden administration has proposed new protections for old-growth forests but has stopped short of imposing an outright ban on cutting down carbon-storing plants.
The Forest Service on Thursday was suggested Limit cutting of these mature trees IIt has destroyed national forests, angered some in the timber industry, but been welcomed by environmental groups.
Research suggests Old trees Store in bulk Carbon dioxide emissions are skyrocketing, making its protection crucial in the fight against climate change.
“Our old-growth forests absorb carbon pollutants, purify our air, filter our water and clean our rivers and streams — these forests are essential partners in tackling climate change,” National Climate Adviser Ali Zaidi said in a written statement.
“Today’s action will help better inform the management of our national forest system and strengthen our efforts to deploy nature-based solutions that improve the resilience of our lands, waters, wildlife and communities,” he added.
The administration’s new proposal would restrict logging in such places only if the area would still be considered old-growth forest after logging.
Government land managers will also be required to undertake proactive projects to enhance these forests.
The American Forest Resources Council, a trade group representing western timber companies, called the proposal “politically driven” and said the administration should instead focus on the threat of wildfires.
“The Biden administration should prioritize implementing wildfire policies that require greater healthy forest management, rather than increasing red tape and obstruction of forest management,” Travis Joseph, the group’s president, said in a written statement.
Environmentalists, however, said the move was a positive development.
“Protecting what remains of our oldest forests is undoubtedly a positive step toward climate action, and we look forward to participating in this process to ensure that this amendment increases, not simply maintains, the amount of old-growth forest across the country,” Alex Craven, Sierra Club forest campaign manager, said in a written statement.
The administration had indicated in December that it would issue a proposal aimed at protecting the trees, and the Forest Service’s website said it expected the service could finalize the proposal around early January.
