Search

4.69. (...) Voluntary conservation programs appear to be effective in addressing soil erosion and water pollution but could be better leveraged to improve natural hazard risks management ex ante and more resilient recovery in the aftermath of disasters. It will also be important for the United States to ensure that the recent resort to ad hoc support against market shocks and natural disasters does not become entrenched. Finally, the resolution of current trade uncertainties would ease farmers' pursuit of market opportunities.

4.70. (...). Although expenditures on environmental programs are much smaller relative to food assistance, the funding of such programs (in particular the CRP [the Conservation Reserve Program] and EQIP [The Environmental Quality Incentives Program]) is gradually increasing.

4.78. (...) Exports of certain unprocessed logs from federal/state lands in western states [57] and of all unprocessed western red cedar logs are prohibited as a result of conservation measures pursuant to the Endangered Species Act/National Forest Management Act and due to short supply controls of the War and Defense Export Regulation statutes, respectively (16 U.S.C. 620 and 50 U.S.C. App. 2406). These statutes are managed through export regulations and policy controls by the Departments of Agriculture, Interior, and Commerce.
[57] West of the 100th meridian, but excluding Alaska and Hawaii. However, Alaska also bans the export of spruce and hemlock logs from Alaska National Forests.

4.79. At the border, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA APHIS), and the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) ensure trade compliance with the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and the Lacey Act. Amendments to the Lacey Act in 2008 introduced additional declaration requirements for importers, i.e. the specification of the country where the wood was harvested and information on the species. Both CITES and the Lacey Act have an impact on the trade of forestry products as they impose requirements for trade in timber products, e.g. logs, lumber, pulp, paper, and musical instruments. The United States does not require any private or third-party certification schemes for importation.

4.80. The USMCA [United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement] contains new provisions to help combat illegal logging and associated illegal trade. In Chapter 24 (Environment), the parties agreed to obligations to combat trafficking in timber by strengthening law enforcement and exchanging information and experiences. It also contains provisions to cooperate on initiatives to promote sustainable forest management. Nearly all U.S. FTAs have chapters on the environment that could have an impact on trade in forestry products. More recent FTAs all address illegal logging activities in some way; the FTA with Peru goes further with a dedicated Annex on Forest Sector Governance.

4.81. An assessment fee is charged on imported and domestically manufactured softwood lumber to finance the Softwood Lumber Board's operations to promote softwood lumber in the United States. Exemptions exist for exports, organic products, and small shipments of less than 15 million board feet. (...)

4.85. U.S. federal laws on forestry are numerous and varied as they contain provisions on forestry management, environmental, and trade matters (Table 4.8). (...)

Table 4.8 Legal framework, main laws and regulations, 2022
Instrument - Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008
Overview - Requires states to have an Assessment and Strategy for Forest Resources
Reference - P.L. 110 234

Table 4.8 Legal framework, main laws and regulations, 2022
Instrument - National Forest Management Act of 1976
Overview - Requires a land and resource management plan for National Forests
Reference - 16 U.S.C. 1600

Table 4.8 Legal framework, main laws and regulations, 2022
Instrument - National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969
Overview - Fosters and promotes the general welfare of the environment
Reference - P.L. 91 190