The Forest Landowners Association (FLA) applauds Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and the Senate Agriculture Committee for unveiling the Rural Prosperity and Food Security Act of 2024, commonly known as the Farm Bill. This landmark legislation provides essential support for rural economies, conservation initiatives, and disaster recovery, delivering critical tools for private forest landowners. FLA is…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
On June 21, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Marine Fisheries Service (the Services) published several proposed revisions to Endangered Species Act regulations. The two of most importance to our members are highlighted below. Both of these regulations will change the way that the Services approach species listings and critical habitat designations….