Americans deliver 1 million comments in favor of old-growth forests

WASHINGTON – Over the course of four comment periods, the United States Forest Service (USFS) received more than 1 million comments urging it to protect mature and old-growth trees and forests on federal land from logging. Following President Joe Biden’s 2022 Executive Order directing the USFS to develop policies protecting mature and old-growth forests in the United States National Forest system, the agency released a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) on its proposed National Old-Growth Amendment. The publishing of the DEIS kicked off 90 days of public input that ends Friday at 11:59 pm ET.

During the recent comment period, canvassers with Environment America’s state offices knocked on doors across the country including in Oregon, Wisconsin and North Carolina where old-growth forests are on the chopping block. Canvassers educated the public about the threats to old-growth trees and forests and built support for old-growth protections by collecting public comments from supporters. Along with those supporters, environmental organizations, indigenous-led organizations, federal and state elected officials, faith groups and faith leaders, businesses, scientists and people across the nation submitted hundreds of thousands of comments across this period in support of strong protections for the nation’s oldest trees and forests.

Mature and old-growth trees and forests are critical to address the biodiversity and climate crises. Older forests are unique and complex ecosystems that serve as vital habitat for thousands of wildlife species. Trees absorb and store massive amounts of climate-warming carbon that would otherwise be released into the atmosphere. Older trees store more carbon than younger trees.

Following the comment period ending, the Forest Service will consider the public’s input and finalize the National Old Growth Amendment by issuing a Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS). The agency has previously said that they plan to do so by the end of December 2024.

Regarding the comment period’s end, Environment America Public Lands Campaign Director Ellen Montgomery issued the following statement:

“The Forest Service should listen to the more than a million comments it has received over the last two years, urging it to end logging of old-growth trees. The response from the public to our on-the-ground efforts to build support for a strong National Old-Growth Amendment has shown that people want to see older trees protected. These trees and forests are home to wildlife that we love from birds to bears. They are our allies to fight back against climate change, and all we have to do is make sure they stay upright. We hope the Forest Service recognizes the truth that the public knows: old-growth trees are worth more standing.”