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The long-awaited next step toward crafting a federal rule to protect mature and old-growth forests has now been taken.... but still falls well short of the needed mark.

Mature and old-growth trees and forests are our most cost-effective means of protecting the climate as they soak up and store a huge tonnage of carbon. They also provide many other values, including an effective buffer against the spread of wildfire.

Write the U.S. Forest Service and tell it you expect to see this old-growth policy live up to the president's original intent.

The newly released National Old-Growth Amendment Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) describes a rule requiring amendment of plans governing all 154 national forests, including California's 18, with an eye to saving older trees and forests. The new rule would implement President Joe Biden's promising executive order announced in April 2022.

But still the DEIS contains many loopholes ("proactive stewardship," anyone?) that would allow commercial logging of old-growth. And mature forests—the slightly younger old-growth-of-tomorrow—remain virtually unaddressed.

See the RESOURCES section at the bottom of this alert for much more on the proposed rule and how much old-growth remains.

Conservationists have no argument with the need to cut an occasional old-growth tree if it's hanging over a building, campground or critical right-of-way. But this DEIS would preserve longstanding incentives for both the Forest Service and the timber industry to fell these precious trees for profit. Like never before, they are worth more standing.

Send in your comments in favor of a modified Alternative 3 in the proposed old-growth rule. The Sept. 20 deadline is approaching fast!

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Flaunt your forest-defender cred with pride! Introducing Forests Forever's new Swag Store! Look sharp and make us visible with T-shirts, hoodies, bamboo coaster sets, hats and beanies, water bottles, backpacks and much more — sporting Forests Forever's old-growth-forest-and-crescent-moon logo. All net proceeds benefit Forests Forever.

RESOURCES →