WHEREAS, the health of the national forests and the economies of rural communities area at risk as a result of national forest management practices;

WHEREAS, the threat of wildfire, insects, and disease endangers the health, happiness and well-being of American citizens;

WHEREAS, timber programs on the national forests in many western states have been almost completely eliminated;

WHEREAS, the proper use of timber harvest as a management tool can effectively contribute to increased watershed flows;

WHEREAS, the proper use of timber harvest as a management took can help reduce dangerously high levels of fuels which contribute to the potential for catastrophic fires;

WHEREAS, prescribed fires, used without the complement of timber harvest, can destroy economically viable, renewable resources and violate federal and state air quality and visibility standards;

WHEREAS, national forest timber management programs are essential for proper stewardship of forests and to improve the health, condition and structure of the natural environment; now

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the state of {insert state} urges the United States Congress to support a strategy to reverse the decline of national forest timber management programs and to reach a more effective timber program level; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the state of {insert state} urges the United States Congress to support efforts to improve efficiency, effectiveness and accountability of national forest management.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a copy of this resolution be transmitted to the President of the United States, the Speaker of the House, the President Pro Tempore of the Senate and to every member of this state’s Congressional Delegation.

Reapproved by ALEC Board of Directors on January 28, 2013.

Reapproved by ALEC Board of Directors on November 16, 2017.