The state of Utah entered into a 20-year cooperative agreement with the U.S. Forest Service to help actively manage national forests across the state. “Utah knows how to manage land well and has done so successfully, side-by-side with federal partners for decades,” shares Governor Spencer Cox. “This agreement doesn’t change who owns or controls national forests. It simply lets us work together more efficiently. This agreement allows us to combine capacity, funding and expertise so we can quickly and more effectively care for our forests now and far into the future.” The announcement shares that all Utah forests face increasing challenges including wildfires, insect and disease outbreaks, recreation demands and management backlogs. The agreement provides “a long-term framework to proactively address these risks, while protecting nearby communities and natural resources.”
