WASHINGTON, D.C. — The House of Representatives has passed Congresswoman Julia Letlow’s bill to protect Louisiana’s timber industry by cutting red tape for forest landowners while also strengthening support for livestock producers.
The Emergency Conservation Program Improvement Act would better support Louisiana’s timber economy in the event of natural disasters, ensuring more timely and effective assistance when disasters such as wildfires strike. These events not only devastate forest land but also disrupt grazing operations, destroy fencing and water infrastructure, and create significant recovery costs for livestock producers.
“I’m thrilled to see the House pass my bill to protect Louisiana’s timber economy. We are quickly approaching wildfire season, and when disaster hits, recovery cannot wait,” Letlow said. “Our family foresters and livestock producers shouldn’t be left picking up the pieces on their own after extreme weather events and often don’t have the operating cash to do so. My legislation would ensure that help is available as soon as disaster strikes, with more flexibility and less red tape.”
The measure would provide nonindustrial forest landowners with advance emergency payments following natural disasters rather than requiring them to pay upfront and wait for reimbursement. It also enables livestock producers to receive upfront support through the Emergency Conservation Program to cover critical repair and recovery costs. The legislation includes damage caused by man-made fires when spread by natural conditions, as well as wildfires originating from federal actions.
House Majority Leader Steve Scalise praised Letlow’s efforts to advance Louisiana priorities.
“When disaster strikes, it can take weeks, months or even years for communities to get the help they need to rebuild, and this bill by Congresswoman Letlow that we passed today will bring relief more quickly to families impacted by disasters,” Scalise said. “Congresswoman Letlow has been a real fighter and champion for Louisiana farmers and landowners, and this bill will expedite relief for thousands of Louisiana families.”
In recent years, wildfires have burned more than 60,000 acres of forest land in Louisiana, causing evacuations and severe damage to timber operations and surrounding agricultural activity.
“Louisiana is no stranger to natural disasters. The dynamic effects of wildfires, floods, hurricanes and even ice storms can leave foresters and landowners deep in the red for years to come,” said Richard Fontenot, Louisiana Farm Bureau president. “Louisiana Farm Bureau is thankful to Congresswoman Julia Letlow for hearing our concerns, working with us to develop solutions, and bringing forth the Emergency Conservation Program Improvement Act to the House floor and getting it passed to the next chamber. This will truly get aid to agriculture when needed, not years down the road.”
“On behalf of the Forest Landowners Association and the millions of acres of working forests our members steward, I want to thank Congresswoman Julia Letlow for her leadership on H.R. 1011,” said Scott Jones, CEO of the Forest Landowners Association. “This legislation provides critical, commonsense improvements to disaster recovery programs that will help forest landowners and family forestry businesses respond more quickly and effectively after hurricanes, wildfires and other natural disasters. By ensuring timely access to assistance, Congresswoman Letlow is helping strengthen the resilience of working forests and the rural communities that depend on them.”
