Forest Resources for the Environment and the Economy Act

The Forest Resources for the Environment and the Economy Act (S. 820) aims to improve how the United States manages its forests to capture and store carbon dioxide. The bill would require the Department of Agriculture to track carbon storage levels within the National Forest System and establish a specialized advisory council to help private landowners and Indian tribes participate in voluntary carbon sequestration programs.

For everyday citizens, particularly those who own nonindustrial private forest land, this bill would create new financial opportunities through state-managed revolving loan funds and cooperative agreements to support tree planting and forest health projects. Additionally, it seeks to balance environmental goals with local interests by studying how carbon management affects timber harvests, wildlife habitats, and recreational access to public lands.