As if harming the economy wasn’t enough, President Donald Trump also wants to interfere with wildlife. The Trump administration has decided to end the protection of national forests in Washington state and open them up to logging. The goal is a 25% increase in timber production over the next five years. But the impact won’t stop there; other national forests are now at risk as well.
Previously, Washington’s forests were protected by environmental regulations that kept large swaths of land safe from logging. However, with a recent memo from Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, those protections have been lifted. Christopher B. French, the Forest Service’s acting associate chief, also sent an additional memo urging officials to take swift action. In short, Trump has removed previous regulations and review processes, allowing the Forest Service to cut down more trees.
Not everyone is pleased with this development. Many experts have warned that Trump’s decision to allow logging in Washington’s forests and other national forests could increase the risk of wildfires, pollute rivers, and threaten wildlife. Many online users share these concerns, expressing strong opposition to the destruction of forests driven by greed. “This will not go well if implemented. I expect a legal challenge from our government or AG within a week,” one Reddit user commented.
Others found Trump’s argument laughable, pointing out that the U.S. lacks the capacity to process the excess wood into lumber if they actually go through with chopping down the Washington forests. “This should definitely be taken seriously, but according to r/forestry, we don’t have the milling capacity to turn all this into lumber. Sure, we could ship it to mills overseas, but with all the trade tensions, who would even take it? It seems like just another headline to rile up his base and frustrate progressives,” another user remarked.
Some pointed out that, beyond wildfires, excessive logging could lead to landslides and other disasters that might cost lives. “When, not if, the landslides happen, those deaths will trace back to this moment of greed and corruption. I expect we’ll see a new wave of people choosing to live in trees to try and protect them,” one Redditor said.
Others accused Trump of trying to reward his supporters who backed him with financial contributions. “He’s trying to reward timber company donors. A man whose only experience with nature is limited to concrete, steel, and glass or pesticide-laden country clubs… Why would he see any value in a forest greater than the money to be made from destroying it?” another user remarked.
