Congress Passes Infrastructure Bill with Federal Forestry Provisions

After months of gridlock, late last Friday Congress passed the bipartisan $1.2 trillion Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which includes $555 billion in new funding for mostly “traditional” infrastructure (roads, bridges, etc.). However, the term “forest” is mentioned almost 200 times in the bill, making one thing clear – both parties agree that trees are a critical part of infrastructure. Much of the forest-related funding, policy and programs are aimed at federal lands and keeping national forests healthy, resilient and covered in trees.

The bill includes $3.4 billion for wildfire risk reduction and $2.1 billion for ecosystem restoration, all over a five-year period, including funding for collaborative based and landscape-scale restoration projects between federal agencies and the private sector

For a more detailed breakdown of funding for forestry provisions, click here.