Bipartisan Congressional Delegation Urges USDA to Expedite Disaster Assistance
| The Forest Landowners Association (FLA) applauds the bipartisan group of U.S. Senators and U.S. Representatives, led by Senator Ted Budd (R-NC) and Senator Raphael Warnock (D-GA), for urging the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to prioritize disaster assistance and promptly issue clear guidelines to expedite relief for landowners, farmers, and other producers impacted by recent severe storms. “Natural disasters—including wildfires, hurricanes, and invasive species—are increasing in frequency and severity across the country,” said Craig Anderson, Vice President of Government Affairs at the Forest Landowners Association. “We commend Senators Budd and Warnock, along with their bipartisan colleagues, for their leadership in calling on USDA to act swiftly in providing disaster relief to landowners who otherwise have no other means of recovery.” In their letter to USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins, the bipartisan coalition emphasized the urgency of providing clear and immediate guidance for disaster assistance funding Congress passed last December. This funding is intended to provide economic relief to landowners, producers, and communities impacted by natural disasters like Hurricane Helene. “Without timely disaster relief, the economic and environmental consequences for rural communities and the forest supply chain could be devastating,” added Scott Jones, CEO of the Forest Landowners Association. “FLA remains committed to working with Congressional leaders and USDA to ensure landowners have the resources and support they need to recover and maintain the health and productivity of their forests.” Disaster recovery remains one of FLA’s top policy priorities. The association has taken a multi-faceted approach to securing comprehensive disaster relief for private forest landowners, including: |
- Advocating for tax code reforms through the Disaster Reforestation Act
- Strengthening existing programs like the Emergency Forest Restoration Program (EFRP) through legislative efforts such as the Emergency Conservation Program Improvement Act within the Farm Bill
- Ensuring private forest landowners are included in USDA-administered disaster relief payments
To learn more about FLA’s efforts to urge Congress to prioritize disaster relief for private forest landowners, read: National Associations Call on Congress to Prioritize Disaster Relief for Private Forest Landowners.
For additional details, refer to press releases from: