Idaho, feds expand forest management agreement – Capital Press

Report on the Expansion of Forest Management Agreement in Idaho

Introduction

On December 5, 2025, Idaho state officials and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service signed a renewed and expanded shared stewardship agreement. This agreement aims to increase the pace and scale of forest restoration and management across jurisdictional boundaries, enhancing forest health and resilience in the face of extreme wildfires, severe drought, and invasive species.

Shared Stewardship Agreement Overview

The shared stewardship initiative involves collaboration between the U.S. Forest Service, tribal governments, states, and other partners to improve forest management across different jurisdictions. The renewed agreement between Idaho and the Forest Service establishes a strengthened framework for cooperation to:

• Advance forest restoration
• Increase active forest management
• Reduce wildfire risk across Idaho’s forests and nearby communities

This expanded long-term strategy builds upon the progress made under the landmark 2018 agreement and reaffirms the commitment to proactively manage Idaho’s landscapes amid longer and more intense fire seasons.

Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The agreement supports multiple United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, including:

1. SDG 13: Climate Action – By enhancing forest resilience and reducing wildfire risks, the initiative contributes to climate change mitigation and adaptation.
2. SDG 15: Life on Land – The restoration and sustainable management of forests promote biodiversity conservation and ecosystem health.
3. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth – Increasing timber production and forest management activities supports rural economies and job creation.
4. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals – The agreement exemplifies multi-stakeholder collaboration across federal, state, and tribal entities.

Terms and Objectives of the Agreement

The new agreement outlines specific commitments and goals, including:

• Doubling the annual sustainable timber sale volume to up to 100 million board feet within five years through the use of the Good Neighbor Authority (GNA).
• Developing a comprehensive statewide GNA agreement to facilitate critical forest management work.
• Identifying additional funding opportunities and improving project planning and coordination.
• Establishing clear targets and measurable outcomes for all GNA activities across Idaho’s seven national forests.
• Streamlining processes and strengthening accountability to ensure effective delivery of forest stewardship investments.

Good Neighbor Authority (GNA)

The GNA permits the Forest Service to enter into agreements with state forestry agencies to conduct essential forest management activities that maintain forest health and productivity. The expanded shared stewardship agreement aims to enhance the GNA framework statewide, promoting efficient and collaborative forest management.

Statements from Key Officials

• Governor Brad Little: Emphasized Idaho’s leadership in forest management and the expansion of cooperative efforts across landscapes and ownership boundaries.
• U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins: Highlighted the importance of the partnership in overcoming federal red tape and addressing overgrown forests and community risks.
• Forest Service Chief Tom Schultz: Committed to designing and implementing timber harvest, thinning, and restoration projects that actively manage forests and protect communities.
• Idaho Department of Lands Director Dustin Miller: Noted that the collaboration will boost rural communities, strengthen forest health, and protect people and places dependent on these lands.

Conclusion

The expanded shared stewardship agreement between Idaho and the USDA Forest Service represents a significant step toward sustainable forest management aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals. By fostering collaboration, increasing timber production sustainably, and enhancing forest resilience, the partnership addresses environmental, economic, and social dimensions critical to the well-being of Idaho’s forests and communities.

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed in the Article

1. SDG 15: Life on Land
   • The article focuses on forest management, restoration, and reducing wildfire risks, which directly relate to the conservation and sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems.
2. SDG 13: Climate Action
   • Efforts to improve forest resilience to extreme wildfires and severe drought contribute to climate change mitigation and adaptation.
3. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
   • The shared stewardship agreement exemplifies multi-stakeholder partnerships between federal, state, tribal governments, and other partners to achieve sustainable forest management.

2. Specific Targets Under the Identified SDGs

1. Under SDG 15: Life on Land
   • Target 15.2: Promote the implementation of sustainable management of all types of forests, halt deforestation, restore degraded forests, and substantially increase afforestation and reforestation globally.
   • Target 15.3: Combat desertification, restore degraded land and soil, including land affected by desertification, drought, and floods.
2. Under SDG 13: Climate Action
   • Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries.
3. Under SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
   • Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private, and civil society partnerships, building on the experience and resourcing strategies of partnerships.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied to Measure Progress

1. Indicator for SDG 15 Targets
   • Forest area under sustainable forest management (implied by the increase in timber production and restoration activities).
   • Area of forest restored or under active management (implied by accelerated restoration and forest health projects).
2. Indicator for SDG 13 Target
   • Number of hectares of forest resilient to climate hazards such as wildfires and drought (implied by efforts to reduce wildfire risk and improve forest resilience).
3. Indicator for SDG 17 Target
   • Number and scale of multi-stakeholder partnerships and agreements (explicitly mentioned as the shared stewardship agreement and Good Neighbor Authority collaborations).
   • Annual sustainable timber sale volume (explicitly mentioned as a measurable target: up to 100 million board feet within five years).

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: capitalpress.com