Letter to the editor: Logging could destroy our forests

I am deeply concerned about President Trump’s recent executive orders that significantly expand logging activities in our national forests under the pretext of national security. These directives undermine decades of environmental protections and pose substantial risks to Pennsylvania’s natural heritage, public health and climate resilience.

The orders direct federal agencies to expedite logging projects by circumventing critical environmental review processes established under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Specifically, agencies are instructed to utilize emergency provisions to bypass standard NEPA and ESA procedures; expedite environmental reviews, limiting public input and scientific assessment; and employ “categorical exclusions” to exempt logging projects from in-depth environmental analysis.

Pennsylvania’s rich forested landscapes are home to diverse ecosystems and serve as critical habitats for numerous species. The accelerated logging initiatives could lead to habitat destruction, water quality degradation and increased wildfire risks.

While the administration argues that these orders will bolster the timber industry and reduce reliance on imports, it’s important to note that the U.S. already maintains a robust domestic timber market. Moreover, the long-term ecological costs and potential loss of ecosystem services — such as carbon sequestration, recreation and tourism — could outweigh short-term economic gains.

I call for public opposition to these executive orders and the preservation of NEPA and ESA processes; support for legislative measures that reinforce environmental protections and prevent the circumvention of established review procedures; and engagement with federal agencies to ensure that forest management practices in Pennsylvania prioritize ecological integrity and community well-being.

Dakota Latusek

Loyalhanna