Idaho gears up to boost logging, restoration on federal land

Idaho has more than doubled the number of workers assigned to logging and restoration projects on federal lands within the state with the goal of doubling timber harvest and restoration treatments on federal lands by 2025.

The Idaho Department of Lands starting this week is increasing from five to 13 the number of workers taking part in a federal-state partnership allowing state workers to manage timber sales on U.S. Forest Service land.

One of the eight new workers is for projects on U.S. Bureau of Land Management land. The state workers are paid from timber sales and federal funds.

The partnership is made possible under the Good Neighbor Authority passed by Congress more than a decade ago and expanded in the 2014 Farm Bill.