A Wisconsin Congressman wants to increase logging in the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest.
Speaking on the floor of the US House of Representatives Thursday morning, Seventh District Republican Sean Duffy said there’s been a dramatic drop-off in timber harvested from the forest over the past few decades. In the 1980s and early 90s, Duffy said an average of 150 million board feet of lumber was harvested each year. Now, that number is closer to 98 million.
Duffy says that decline comes despite the recommendations of the US Forestry Service, which says 131 million board feet should be harvested from the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest each year to keep it healthy and sustainable. The Congressman called it a waste to let a “noble resource” rot and burn.
AUDIO: Rep. Sean Duffy (:11)
Duffy’s office says opening the forest to more timber harvesting could create up to 4,000 jobs and have an economic impact of more than $200 million for the state.
