WASHINGTON (Diya TV) — President Trump signed an executive order Saturday to bolster forest management techniques in reaction to the historic wildfires that consumed Los Angeles, California, in recent weeks. The order tries to speed federal permitting for forestry ventures under the Endangered Species Act, making operations like clearing brush and removing timber easier by eliminating delays related to environmental and regulatory approvals.
The government maintains that these actions will not only enhance the health of forests but also strengthen the home timber industry. Through the reduction of regulations for timber thinning, where all rows of trees are taken out, and timber salvaging, the order hopes to enhance the production of timber, possibly decreasing housing costs of construction and reducing dependency on imports from nations such as Canada, Brazil, and Germany.
“Our catastrophic timber and lumber policies—a legacy of the last administration—ignite fires and erode our fish and wildlife habitat,” White House senior counselor for trade and manufacturing Peter Navarro said. “They increase construction and housing prices and impoverish America through massive trade deficits caused by exporters such as Canada, Germany, and Brazil selling off lumber into our markets at the expense of both our economic well-being and national security. That ends today.”
Along with the executive order, President Trump instructed Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick to investigate possible tariffs on timber and lumber imports. This action is in line with the administration’s overall trade policy, which has already included tariffs on steel, aluminum, semiconductors, and pharmaceuticals.
California Governor Gavin Newsom has defended the state’s forest and land management efforts, highlighting $2.5 billion in state investments aimed at mitigating wildfire risks. Newsom recently declared a state of emergency to expedite forest clearing, aiming to counteract strict state environmental and coastal regulations that have been criticized as barriers to effective forest management.
Environmental organizations are set to sue the executive order, fearing that fast-tracking forestry projects would skirt vital environmental protections. The administration insists that the order strikes a balance between environmental concerns and the necessity of safeguarding neighborhoods from catastrophic wildfires and helping the domestic timber industry.
The just-concluded Los Angeles wildfires that started on January 7 had claimed at least 27 lives and destroyed hundreds of homes, highlighting the paramount importance of adequate forest management approaches.
