WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Department of Justice has prevailed in three key environmental lawsuits, clearing the way for forest restoration and timber harvesting projects in Montana, Idaho, and California.
The department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division (ENRD) defended the projects as part of a broader push under President Biden’s directive to expand sustainable timber production and enhance forest health.
In Montana, the ENRD supported the Forest Service’s South Plateau Landscape Area Treatment Project in the Custer Gallatin National Forest. The plan aims to make forests more resilient to insects and disease, reduce wildfire threats to nearby communities, and maintain timber yields. A magistrate judge recommended upholding the project, citing the plan’s science-based approach to managing grizzly bear and lynx habitats.
In California, the North Big Bear Landscape Restoration Project in the San Bernardino National Forest was also upheld. The court supported the Forest Service’s review of the science behind the project, which is designed to thin tree stands and cut wildfire risk. The ruling confirmed that tree thinning efforts are not automatically considered controversial and do not always require heightened scrutiny.
In Idaho, two forest health restoration projects on the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests received approval after the Forest Service conducted a detailed environmental impact assessment. The projects aim to reduce fire danger, support timber production, and boost rural economies. The court ruled that the Forest Service had adequately addressed prior legal concerns raised in a 2021 court order.
Forest health and fire risk reduction at the forefront
The rulings affirm the Biden administration’s approach to forest management by supporting environmental resilience and rural economic infrastructure through responsible timber harvesting.
Key Points
- DOJ successfully defended timber projects in Montana, California, and Idaho
- Projects focus on forest health, wildfire mitigation, and rural economic support
- Courts affirmed scientific and environmental compliance by the Forest Service
The ENRD’s victories mark a legal and policy win for expanded, science-based forest restoration initiatives.
Federal courts greenlight timber harvest projects aimed at wildfire prevention and forest resilience.