WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-WY) introduced bipartisanlegislation that would allow the U.S. Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to work with state foresters to complete projects that cross ownership boundaries.  The Good Neighbor Forestry Act (S.375) is co-sponsored by Senators Mike Enzi (R-WY), Tim Johnson (D-SD), Mike Lee (R-UT) and John Thune (R-SD).

“We have increasing forest health needs across the West, especially in Wyoming where the bark beetle outbreak threatens thousands of acres of forest,” said Barrasso.  “It’s crucial that we have as many boots on the ground as possible to manage our forests.  This bill would bring state and federal agencies together to complete projects on private, state and federal lands.  Forest health issues do not stop at fence lines—neither should our policy.”   

Background:

Currently, only Colorado and Utah benefit from Good Neighbor authority.  In all other western states, State and federal agencies manage their lands separately.

Barrasso’s bill would apply the Good Neighbor authority to other western states and provide the U.S. Forest Service and BLM the ability to contract with State Foresters to complete forest, rangeland and watershed health projects.

In addition to bipartisan support in the Senate, Good Neighbor authority is supported by Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar, USDA Undersecretary Harris Sherman and the Council of Western State Foresters. 

The Good Neighbor Forestry Act was initially introduced by Barrasso in the 111th Congress in May of 2009.

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