Wenatchee Times

WASHINGTON, D.C. - On June 9, 2023, U.S. Representatives Kim Schrier, M.D. (D-WA) and Barry Moore (R-AL) introduced the Forest Data Modernization Act, a bipartisan bill that would modernize data collection efforts of the USFS Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) program.This legislation will meet the needs of forestry stakeholders who have identified a need to modernize the FIA program to meet the rapidly growing market demand for standardized, high-quality data to support sustainable forest management decisions. 

This legislation accomplishes a necessary upgrade of our national forest data by delivering the most accurate, helpful information possible to key forestry industry stakeholders and the public alike. It improves:  

• Data accessibility - by requiring the publication of summary statistics every two years and the creation of a fee-for-service program to handle complex data requests.  
• Data usability - by directing the FIA to measure forest carbon and requiring that clear definitions are provided with FIA data to ensure better interpretability of datasets which would allow the forestry sector to leverage collected data consistently.  
• Data collection - by recommending consideration of advanced technologies for data collection, such as satellite sensors and computer models that could improve data accuracy and reduce costs as well as codifying existing surveys on wood use and forest landownership to ensure continued availability of datasets on which forestry stakeholders rely.  
• FIA program transparency - by requiring the existing FIA strategic plan to be updated, that future updates be made every five years, and that FIA costs and priorities be published annually.

“Mitigating risk in our forests has become ever more important with increasing intensity of wildfires and lengthening wildfire season throughout the West,” said Rep. Schrier. “Land managers and fire chiefs need reliable information about forest health to effectively work to prevent catastrophic fire, mobilize wildland firefighters during fire, and perform forest restoration work afterward. This legislation will strengthen the FIA program to provide critical data needed to take action to help prevent devastating wildfire and support sound land management." 

“America’s foresters deserve updated technology and easily accessible data. These datasets allow stakeholders to meet the demands of rapidly growing marketplaces and mitigate risks to forest health, especially from wildfire,” said Rep. Moore. “This legislation ensures foresters, forestry stakeholders, and the American public have access to standardized, high-quality data to support their decisions.” 

"State forestry agencies understand the need for high-quality, standardized and easily accessible data to aid in critical forest management decisions," said George Geissler, Washington State Forester. "Modernizing the Forest Inventory and Analysis program will help better meet the demands of a growing and diversifying market." 

“We are excited to see this legislation to update and improve FIA data,” said Tanushree Biswas, Carbon Program Director for The Nature Conservancy in Washington.  “Modernizing and updating FIA methods would advance implementation of natural climate solutions and ecological forest management. This bill would make FIA data more accessible and improve monitoring and measurement of forest carbon here in Washington state and nationally. These improvements would be very beneficial for research and carbon markets.”   

“We applaud Representatives Schrier and Moore on the introduction of The Forest Data Modernization Act, which will support private working forests, the communities that depend on them, and the environmental benefits they provide,” said Dave Tenny, President and CEO of the National Alliance of Forest Owners (NAFO). “This bipartisan bill is a significant stride towards bolstering the U.S. Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) program, ensuring that private working forest owners receive the accurate and pertinent forest and forest-carbon data they require. Investing in modernizing the FIA program will support the forest stewardship, market innovation, and rural job creation while also promoting the economic, environmental, and climate benefits private working forests provide. The National Alliance of Forest Owners (NAFO) eagerly anticipates collaborating with Representatives Schrier and Moore, as well as the entire Congress, to strengthen forest stewardship through the successful passage of the Forest Data Modernization Act.” 

The Forest Data Modernization Act was also introduced by U.S. Senators Jon Ossoff (D-GA) and Bill Cassidy (R-LA) and is endorsed by the National Alliance of Forest Owners, National Association of State Foresters, Society of American Foresters, American Forest Foundation, The Nature Conservancy, Washington State University, Vermont Woodlands Association, Appalachian Mountain Club, Enviva, National Woodland Owners Association, L&C Carbon, Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation, and Rural Voices for Conservation Coalition.  

The following members have signed on as original cosponsors: Rep. Jill Tokuda (D-HI), Buddy Carter (R-GA), Andre Carson (D-IN), and Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR). 

Original source can be found here.