Forest Landowners Association Leads Coalition Urging Congress to Include Disaster Reforestation Act in Budget Reconciliation Package
WASHINGTON, DC – The Forest Landowners Association (FLA) has led a coalition of more than 75 state and national organizations in sending a letter to Congressional leadership urging the inclusion of the Disaster Reforestation Act in the upcoming budget reconciliation package. The broad coalition represents key sectors of agriculture, business, conservation, forestry, and other stakeholders committed to the future of Rural America and the domestic wood products supply chain.
This marks the strongest show of support for the bill to date, reflecting the growing recognition of the vital role that healthy working forests and a resilient domestic timber supply play in our economy, environment, and national security. The legislation would allow private forest landowners to deduct the true value of timber destroyed by natural disasters and requires reforestation, ensuring long-term forest stewardship and accountability to taxpayers.
“This is a clear message to Congress: protecting working forests is not just about trees—it’s about jobs, clean water, wildlife habitat, and keeping rural economies strong,” said Scott Jones, CEO of the Forest Landowners Association. “This bill gives landowners a tool they desperately need to recover from disasters and keep forests in production for generations to come.”
The letter was sent to Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA), Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD), House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith (R-MO), and Senate Finance Committee Chairman Mike Crapo (R-ID). The bill is bipartisan and bicameral, and the coalition expressed hope it will be included in the final package being crafted by Congress.
To view the full coalition letter, click here.
FLA and its partners will continue working with both the Executive Branch and the Legislative Branch to advance policies that support family forest landowners and the long-term health and productivity of America’s working forests.