New Federal Forest Rules in Place

There are new federal rules in place that contain parts designed to improve the health of American forests, according to leaders in the California timber business.

Those rules were released this week, and grant more discretion to regional forest managers. Dave Bishel is the president of the CA Forestry Association in Sacramento. He says while the changes are good, they probably won´t provide much of an impact on private land owners.

“It shouldn´t have a dramatic effect on private land owners, other than proposed regulation on how they develop individual forest lands is a process that is going to be more efficient and more effective,” Bishel says.

Owners of private forestlands say previous rules slowed federal forest management and increased the chances of a devastating wildfire.