NEWS

Which rainforests are located in the U.S., and where are they?

Answer: The heart of the Southern Appalachian rainforest is located in southwestern Virginia and southwestern North Carolina, the Olympic is in the Pacific Northwest, and the Tongass is in southern Alaska. El Yunque, the only true tropical rainforest, is in Puerto Rico. 

PHOTO @ Amy Li, U.S. Forest Service

Comments are due on July 21 on the introduction of genetically engineered, blight-resistant chestnut trees. The open comment period is the final step in the process of bringing the American chestnut tree back to northeastern forests, scientists say. Researchers began the process by experimenting with genetic engineering to introduce resistance to blight. The first genetically engineered trees were planted in field trials in 2006.

DHA announced the kickoff of the process of revising the industry consensus standard for engineered wood flooring, ANSI/HPVA EF-2020. This is part of the five-year review process required for the ANSI standard, which includes requirements for grading, bond line, moisture content, machining, formaldehyde emissions, and much more.

On June 23, the U.S. Department of Agriculture rescinded the 2001 Roadless Rule, which prohibited road construction, reconstruction, and timber harvest on about 60 million acres of national forest. USDA stated that this will facilitate fire prevention and responsible timber harvest.

PHOTO @ USFS Chris Warner

On July 3, the U.S. Department of Agriculture published a comprehensive reform of the National Environmental Policy Act, consolidating seven separate rules into a single, streamlined regulation. This cut the regulatory text by 66%. The new regulation is designed to speed up projects from logging and wildfire mitigation to broadband and infrastructure development in rural communities. The interim rule is effective immediately.

PHOTO @ Garrett English