Central Louisiana News

In response to the damage inflicted on Louisiana's timber economy by recent natural disasters, Congresswoman Julia Letlow has introduced new legislation aimed at improving disaster relief programs for forest landowners. Over a period of three months in late 2023, wildfires ravaged more than 60,000 acres of prime forest land in the state, leading to evacuations and significant harm to timber operations.

The proposed Emergency Conservation Program Improvement Act seeks to provide farmers and nonindustrial forest landowners with advance emergency payments to implement urgent measures after natural disasters. The bill also extends eligibility for payments to include damage from man-made fires spread due to natural causes, as well as wildfires initiated by the federal government.

"Recent natural disasters have had a profound effect on Louisiana’s timber and agricultural economy, making it essential that we guard against the consequences of extreme weather events before they happen," stated Congresswoman Julia Letlow. "My legislation would ensure that help is available for farmers and landowners as soon as disaster strikes, so they don’t have to wait months for support as they try to rebuild their lives."

The proposal aims to enhance disaster relief for forest landowners by revising two key programs within the Agricultural Credit Act of 1978: the Emergency Conservation Program and the Emergency Forest Restoration Program (EFRP).

Louisiana Commissioner of Agriculture and Forestry, Dr. Mike Strain, expressed his gratitude towards Congresswoman Letlow's efforts: "I thank Congresswoman Letlow for sponsoring this important legislation that will give producers the ability to access emergency assistance up-front to begin the recovery process more quickly following a natural disaster. For many producers, once they have lost their timber, they simply do not have the cash to rehabilitate and replant in order to access federal assistance programs that operate on a reimbursable basis only."

Craig Anderson, VP of Government Affairs at Forest Landowners Association added: "Congresswoman Letlow’s leadership in reintroducing the Emergency Conservation Program Improvement Act is a critical step toward ensuring private forest landowners have the disaster recovery tools they need. These landowners provide the economic and environmental benefits our nation depends on, yet they lack adequate support when disasters strike. Strengthening recovery programs will help them restore forests, protect rural economies, and ensure the long-term health of our working forests."

Congresswoman Letlow further mentioned her goal: “My goal is to have this legislation included in the next farm bill passed by Congress, which is currently under negotiation.”