U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds is introducing a proposal to increase timber sales in the Black Hills National Forest.
The Timber Harvesting Restoration Act would require forest superintendents to create reports explaining drops in timber production. These reports would also need to identify possibilities for increasing production.
Rounds said a decline in timber sales in the Black Hills National Forest over the last few years has put a strain on industries that rely on timber products. He also said the U.S. Forest Service hasn’t sufficiently justified harvesting shortfalls in the Black Hills.
“A well-managed forest is a healthy forest,” Rounds said. "The reduction in timber production in the Black Hills not only harms our businesses, but our forest as well. I’m pleased to be introducing this legislation that takes steps toward getting our timber production back up to normal levels.”
