Boone and Crockett Club: Congress Takes Another Positive Step
For Federal Forests
MISSOULA, Mont. (December 15, 2017) – The group behind the creation of our national forest system – the Boone and Crockett Club – today applauds Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and Senator Ron Johnson (R-WI) for introducing legislation to improve the highly-regarded Good Neighbor Authority.The new bill titled the Good Neighbor Authority Improvement Act will strengthen the Forest Service’s ability to partner with states on forest health projects to improve forest habitat for big game, game birds, and other wildlife. The legislation improves the original Good Neighbor Authority enacted in the 2014 Farm Bill, which allows states to speed projects from planning to execution, better fund the process, and strengthen collaborative support for beneficial and necessary projects that continually face the threat of being bogged down in litigation.
“As the management budget of the Forest Service is depleted by larger and more devastating wildfires, it is increasingly important to allow states to lend a hand in federal forest restoration,” said Ben B. Hollingsworth Jr., president of the Boone and Crockett Club. “The Good Neighbor Authority Improvement Act will allow states to work on a broader array of projects to create healthier forests. This is good for the health and vitality of our federal forest public lands, our water quality, the wildlife living there, and everyone who relies on these lands for outdoor recreation.”
Meaningful forest management reforms meant to strengthen the Forest Service’s ability to restore the Nation’s forests and improve their resilience to destructive wildfires must be a part of any solution Congress enacts.
About the Boone and Crockett Club
Founded by Theodore Roosevelt in 1887, the Boone and Crockett Club is the oldest conservation organization in North America and helped to establish the principles of wildlife and habitat conservation, as well as many of the institutions, experts agencies, science and funding mechanisms for conservation. Member accomplishments include enlarging and protecting Yellowstone and establishing Glacier and Denali national parks, founding the U.S. Forest Service, National Park Service and National Wildlife Refuge System, fostering the Pittman-Robertson and Lacey Acts, creating the Federal Duck Stamp program, and developing the cornerstones of modern game laws. The Boone and Crockett Club is headquartered in Missoula, Montana. For details, visit www.boone-crockett.org.
