REINTRODUCTION OF THE FOREST LEGACY MANAGEMENT FLEXIBILITY ACT

On 2025-04-09, Representative John Garamendi (D-CA-8) delivered a floor speech titled "REINTRODUCTION OF THE FOREST LEGACY MANAGEMENT FLEXIBILITY ACT" in the House.

REINTRODUCTION OF THE FOREST LEGACY MANAGEMENT FLEXIBILITY ACT

Congressional Record, Volume 171 Issue 64 (Wednesday, April 9, 2025) [Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 64 (Wednesday, April 9, 2025)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E303] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] REINTRODUCTION OF THE FOREST LEGACY MANAGEMENT FLEXIBILITY ACT ______ HON. JOHN GARAMENDI of california in the house of representatives Wednesday, April 9, 2025 Mr. GARAMENDI. Mr. Speaker, today I reintroduce the ``Forest Legacy Management Flexibility Act,'' alongside Representative Ken Calvert (R- CA). I thank my colleagues, Representatives Jim Costa (D-CA), Josh Harder (D-CA), Kevin Mullin (D-CA), and Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR) for cosponsoring my bill. As the former Deputy Secretary of the Interior, I know our national conservation goals cannot be achieved through public land ownership alone. The federal and state governments can and must work with private landowners who want to do their part to conserve America's natural landscapes, as my family did for our cattle ranch in 1998. This bill would unlock millions in federal funding to help states conserve working forestlands, create local jobs, and support sustainable forest management practices that reduce wildfire risk. Specifically, the ``Forest Legacy Management Flexibility Act'' would allow States to choose to designate accredited, nonprofit land trusts to hold conservation easements purchased with federal funding under the U.S. Forest Service's Forest Legacy Program. Current law requires that only the federal or state governments can hold conservation easements purchased under the Forest Legacy Program. Allowing States participating in the federal Forest Legacy Program the flexibility to partner with accredited, nonprofit land trusts will help permanently conserve more land by working with private landowners who want to have their land conserved but are wary of selling the federal or state governments an easement on their property. Expanding opportunities to conserve working forestlands will benefit our rural economies and encourage sustainable forest management practices that help prevent wildfires. This bill maintains the integrity of the Forest Legacy Program by holding all accredited, nonprofit land trusts participating in the Program to the highest possible standards. In addition, it implements safeguards to prevent misuse of the Program and allows the U.S. Forest Service or State to reclaim easements if a land trust falls into noncompliance with the Program. By unlocking new opportunities and funding for permanent land conservation, the ``Forest Legacy Management Flexibility Act'' takes a critical step towards protecting our country's natural resources and forests for future generations. My colleagues and I are honored to reintroduce this legislation to preserve America's working forests and bolster our rural economies. Mr. Speaker, I encourage all members to join us in cosponsoring this bill. ____________________