Emergency Conservation Program Improvement Act to Speed Disaster Relief for Forest Landowners Passes the House
Rep. Julia Letlow (R-LA) Champions Bipartisan Win for America’s Private Forest Landowners
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Forest Landowners Association (FLA) applauds the U.S. House of Representatives for passing the Emergency Conservation Program Improvement Act of 2025 (H.R. 1011), legislation championed by Rep. Julia Letlow (R-LA) that will speed disaster relief to agricultural producers and nonindustrial private forest landowners across the country.
The bill passed with strong bipartisan support, sending the measure to the President for signature following the Senate’s unanimous passage of its companion bill (S. 629) on March 24, 2026.
“This is a landmark day for forest landowners who have waited too long for the federal government to catch up with the realities of disaster recovery,” said Scott Jones, FLA CEO. “Representative Letlow has been a tireless advocate for our members, and today’s vote reflects her deep understanding of what working forest families face when disaster strikes. We are grateful for her leadership.”
Introduced by Rep. Letlow in February 2025 in direct response to the devastating 2023 Louisiana wildfires — which burned more than 60,000 acres of forestland and caused severe damage to timber operations — H.R. 1011 makes targeted reforms to two key programs within the Agricultural Credit Act of 1978: the Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) and the Emergency Forest Restoration Program (EFRP).
FLA has long advocated for reforms to EFRP and ECP, which have historically been slow to respond to wildfires, floods, and other natural disasters. Private forest landowners, who manage millions of acres of working forests that support rural economies, provide wildlife habitat, sequester carbon, and supply sustainable wood products, have lacked the up-front financial support necessary to begin recovery without risking their long-term economic viability.
“These landowners provide the economic and environmental benefits our nation depends on, yet they have lacked adequate support when disasters strike,” said Craig Anderson, FLA’s Vice President of Government Affairs. “Strengthening these recovery programs will help them restore forests, protect rural economies, and ensure the long-term health of our working forests. We thank Congresswoman Letlow for making this a priority and seeing it through to passage.”
The legislation also drew support from Members of Congress representing timber-producing states, reflecting the broad, bipartisan recognition of the critical role private forest landowners play in the American economy.
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