Idaho, Forest Service Announce Forest Management Agreement

Idaho is expanding its partnership with the Forest Service to increase active forest management across the state. The Idaho Department of Lands and Forest Service have signed five new Good Neighbor Authority agreements, bringing more than $12.4 million in new federal funding for forest restoration, hazardous fuels reduction, timber management and wildfire recovery.

“These Good Neighbor Authority agreements strengthen our partnership with the Idaho Department of Lands and reinforce our shared commitment to Idaho’s communities," said Michiko Martin, Regional Forester, Southwest and Intermountain Regions, U.S. Forest Service. "By accelerating forest treatments across diverse landscapes, we’re working together to reduce wildfire risk, improve forest health, and protect the places where Idahoans live and work. Healthy forests mean resilient communities, and these agreements help us support both."

New Federal Funding Will Allow For Increased Work

“These agreements give us the tools and resources to put more forest management projects on the ground and build on the success we’ve had through Good Neighbor Authority,” said Jon Songster, IDL Deputy Division Administrator of Forestry. “With a long-term statewide framework and new federal funding, we can increase the pace and scale of work that improves forest health, reduces wildfire risk and supports Idaho’s forest products industry.”

The agreements also establish a 20-year statewide framework expected to support more than 100 future timber sales and dozens of additional restoration projects.

“These agreements strengthen Idaho’s partnership with the U.S. Forest Service and provide a long-term framework for increasing forest management and reducing wildfire risk,” said Idaho Governor Brad Little. “This work supports my Make Forests Healthy Again Executive Order and our shared commitment to healthy, resilient forests and strong rural communities.”

“Idaho is a national leader in active forest management, and these new agreements build on the success of our partnership with the U.S. Forest Service," Little continued.

Good Neighbor Has Been Part Of Idaho For 10 Years

Idaho first implemented Good Neighbor Authority in 2016, and in that time the Forest Service says the Gem state has become a national leader in collaborative forest management. The Forest Services added the program is used it to increase forest restoration on federal lands through partnerships among IDL, the Forest Service, local governments, tribes, private industry and other stakeholders. These projects support local jobs, reduce wildfire risk and improve forest conditions.

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