Yakima Times

Rep. Dan Newhouse of Washington's 4th District has expressed approval following the United States Forest Service's decision to retract proposed changes to the National Old Growth Amendment. The announcement was made in a statement released by Rep. Newhouse, who emphasized his support for local-level forest management.

"I have long advocated for responsible forest management decisions to be made at the local level by the people who know the land and how to best handle it," stated Rep. Newhouse. He further noted, "I am pleased to see the Forest Service withdraw this top-down regulation that would have been a detrimental blow to proper and common-sense management."

Western Caucus Chairman Doug LaMalfa also commented on the development, saying, "The Forest Service’s decision to withdraw the National Old Growth Amendment proposal is great news for proper forest management." He criticized the amendment as a plan that could increase wildfire risks and called for more active forest thinning efforts.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture began considering amendments to 128 land management plans across the National Forest System in December 2023. A draft Environmental Impact Statement was published in June 2024, which led Rep. Newhouse, then-Chairman of the Congressional Western Caucus, to introduce legislation aimed at nullifying President Biden’s Executive Order 14072.

In July 2024, an amendment introduced by Rep. Newhouse was passed by the House of Representatives as part of the 2025 Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act. This amendment prohibited funding for finalizing or enforcing any actions related to the draft Environmental Impact Statement.

U.S. Forest Service Chief Randy Moore announced on January 7, 2025, his intention to withdraw the proposal.