Blog: The Silviculture Regulatory Consistency Act

Statement

Last week, I joined a bipartisan group of House and Senate member in introducing the Silviculture Regulatory Consistency Act, legislation to provide certainty to forestry companies and workers, by reaffirming the Environmental Protection Agency's 37-year-old policy toward regulation of runoff from forest roads.

As most of you know, timber is one of Arkansas's oldest and most important industries. In 2011 alone, it supported over 25,000 jobs, paid $1.4 billion in wages, and produced $217 million worth of goods. Forests cover 56% of all Arkansas lands and whether they were used for shelter, timber production or recreation, the people of Arkansas have always balanced the benefits of production in our forests with protecting our environment.

Unfortunately, over the last several years our timber industry has been stifled by the excessive regulation of the Obama administration. The EPA has been relentlessly trying to impose a nationwide standard which would give them the complete regulator authority over the timber industry.

In March, Arkansas timber producers achieved an important victory in their fight against overregulation when the Supreme Court ruled against requiring permits for timber roads in Decker v. NEDC. But their decision failed to repeal a rule issued by the EPA in December 2012 which affirmed federal regulation of the forestry industry which has left many timber producers uncertain of what kind of litigation and regulation could lie ahead.

The Silviculture Regulatory Consistency Act would end that uncertainty by aiding efforts to increase timber harvests and forestry jobs by preventing unnecessary litigation on a question that the U.S. Supreme Court settled in the EPA's favor earlier this year. The bill, like the Supreme Court decision, upholds the EPA's existing policy, which does not require water discharge permits for forest roads.

In the House, the Silviculture Regulatory Consistency Act is H.R. 2026 and has been referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure for further consideration. In the Senate, it is identified as S. 971 and has been referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.

Timber provides quality jobs and lasting economic growth for places like Arkansas and the rest of America. We need to eliminate the burdensome regulations and red tape that slow growth, hurt communities, and diminish opportunity. We should celebrate industries like Arkansas's timber that empower hard-working Americans to do what they do best --create high-quality products that lead the world.

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