Forest Landowners Association Commends Bipartisan Push for Comprehensive Disaster Recovery
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Forest Landowners Association Commends Bipartisan Push for Comprehensive Disaster Recovery

The Forest Landowners Association (FLA), representing family forest landowners across 43 states, commends the recent bipartisan, bicameral efforts advocating for disaster relief following Hurricane Helene. These initiatives align with FLA’s ongoing work to develop a robust safety net for private forest landowners. Scott Jones, FLA’s CEO, emphasized the critical nature of these efforts: “Recent natural…

FLA Champions Fix Our Forests Act: Bipartisan Victory in House
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FLA Champions Fix Our Forests Act: Bipartisan Victory in House

In a significant victory for forest management, H.R. 8790, the Fix Our Forests Act, passed the U.S. House of Representatives with strong bipartisan support on September 24, 2024. This landmark bill, co-sponsored by House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Bruce Westerman (R-AR) and Congressman Scott Peters (D-CA), marks a crucial advancement in forest management policies that…

ESA Amendments Act of 2024 Introduced
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ESA Amendments Act of 2024 Introduced

On September 10th, House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Bruce Westerman (R-AR) and Western Caucus Chairman Dan Newhouse (R-WA) introduced the ESA Amendments Act of 2024 (H.R. 9533). This bill would provide much-needed reform to the Endangered Species Act to incentivize species recovery and promote collaborative species conservation on private and public lands. When it was…

Service Lists Pearl River Map Turtle as Threatened
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Service Lists Pearl River Map Turtle as Threatened

On July 12th, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service released a final rule designating the Pearl River map turtle as threatened under the Endangered Species Act with a tailored 4(d) rule for take prohibitions. This rule goes into effect on August 12, 2024. Read the final rule here. This rule lists four other map turtle…

Policy Alert: Supreme Court Overturns Chevron Doctrine
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Policy Alert: Supreme Court Overturns Chevron Doctrine

Late last week, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled to overturn the Chevron Doctrine, established in Chevron U.S.A., Inc. v. Natural Resources Defense Council, Inc. (1984). The landmark ruling in Loper Bright v. Raimondo and Relentless v. Commerce (2024), authored by Chief Justice Roberts, marks a significant shift in the regulatory landscape. For forty years, the…

Forest Landowners Association Applauds House Agriculture Committee’s 2024 Farm Bill Unveiling
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Forest Landowners Association Applauds House Agriculture Committee’s 2024 Farm Bill Unveiling

The Forest Landowners Association (FLA) welcomes the release of the 2024 Farm Bill by the House Agriculture Committee. This pivotal legislation promises significant benefits for private forest landowners nationwide. Crafted to bolster the sustainability and productivity of privately owned forests as well as many other important farm and nutrition-related policies, the bill stands to fortify…

ESA Revisions Set to Impact Landowners in 2024
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ESA Revisions Set to Impact Landowners in 2024

This month, several revisions to the Endangered Species Act regulations were finalized by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. While some of the revisions are beneficial for landowners, others are a step backward in our efforts to achieve flexibility and collaborative conservation. Service Streamlines Conservation Agreements On April 11th, the Service finalized their proposal to…

FLA’s Grassroots Tour: Advocacy in Action in Louisiana
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FLA’s Grassroots Tour: Advocacy in Action in Louisiana

This year, FLA launched an on-the ground initiative to meet with our State Engagement Team members and other interested parties in their home states to grow our grassroots engagement. Government Affairs on the Ground: FLA’s Grassroots Tour Amidst shifting markets, regulations and legislative landscapes, private forest landowners across the country are face mounting pressure and…

facade of usa capitol with columns and staircase
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Bipartisan Tax Package Moves Through Congress

Additional Option for Passage of Disaster Reforestation Act Tax Package Clears Initial Hurdle in the House Last week, Congressman Jason Smith (R-MO), Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, and Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR), Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, announced an agreement on a framework for tax reform legislation. Read more on this…

FLA Hosts Timber Talk in South Carolina – Planting the Future: From Seedlings to Success
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FLA Hosts Timber Talk in South Carolina – Planting the Future: From Seedlings to Success

On October 3, 2023, FLA conducted a Timber Talk that showcased the journey of longleaf pine from the seedling to the stands. The event included a half-day program and tour at the new IFCO nursery in Windsor, South Carolina, followed by a half-day tour of family landowner Ben Christensen’s longleaf pine straw operations. At the…