Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff is introducing a bipartisan bill to help grow Georgia’s forestry industry.
Sen. Ossoff and Sen. Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) today introduced the bipartisan Forest Data Modernization Act, which would modernize and improve the U.S. Forest Service’s Forest Inventory and Analysis program to ensure reliable data is available to inform forest management decision making.
The bipartisan bill would require the Forest Service to prepare an updated strategic plan to expand data collection and further integrate advanced remote sensing technology. According to the forestry industry, the improvements would unlock new economic opportunities for foresters and better protect the environment.
The companion bipartisan bill is being introduced by Representatives Kim Schrier (D-WA-08) and Barry Moore (R-AL-01) in the U.S. House of Representatives.
“Georgia leads the nation in forestry. I’ve worked closely with Georgia foresters to write this bipartisan bill that will support the efficient management of Georgia’s forests,” Sen. Ossoff said.“Senator Cassidy and I are introducing this bipartisan bill to help support this vital industry for our state and Georgia’s beautiful woodlands.”
“Louisiana benefits when we use all our natural resources, including timber,” said Dr. Cassidy. “New data is a fantastic opportunity to better manage and support our forests.”
“Mitigating risk in our forests has become ever more important with increasing intensity of wildfires and lengthening wildfire season throughout the West,” said Congresswoman Schrier. “Land managers and fire chiefs need reliable information about forest health to effectively work to prevent catastrophic fire, mobilize wildland firefighters during fire, and perform forest restoration work afterward. This legislation will strengthen the FIA program to provide critical data needed to take action to help prevent devastating wildfires and support sound land management.”
“Our nation’s foresters deserve updated technology and easily accessible data to help meet the demands of a rapidly growing market,” said Congressman Moore. “I am grateful to my colleagues for joining me to introduce legislation that ensures foresters, forestry stakeholders, and the American public have access to standardized, high-quality data to support their decisions.”
Sens. Ossoff and Cassidy’s bipartisan bill is backed by the National Alliance of Forest Owners, Georgia Forestry Association, Jamestown, and more.
“We applaud Senators Ossoff and Cassidy on the introduction of The Forest Data Modernization Act of 2025, which will support private working forests, the communities that depend on them, and the environmental benefits they provide,” said Dave Tenny, President and CEO of the National Alliance of Forest Owners (NAFO). “This bipartisan bill is a crucial step towards enhancing the U.S. Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) program to provide more reliable and relevant forest data that private working forest owners need. Investing in modernizing the FIA program will support the forest stewardship, market innovation, and rural job creation while also promoting the economic, and environmental benefits private working forests provide. We look forward to working with Senators Ossoff and Cassidy, and the full Congress, to strengthen forest stewardship by passing the Forest Data Modernization Act of 2025.”
“The Georgia Forestry Association (GFA) commends Senators Ossoff and Cassidy for their bipartisan leadership in re-introducing the Forest Data Modernization Act. Georgia’s 24 million acres of working forests are a cornerstone of our state’s economy, supporting jobs, businesses, and rural communities while providing essential environmental benefits, including clean air, clean water, and vital wildlife habitat. Modernizing the Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) program will equip landowners, businesses, and policymakers with reliable, real-time data to drive smart forest management decisions,” said Tim Lowrimore, GFA President and CEO. “Investing in better data infrastructure will not only enhance sustainability efforts but also expand market opportunities, drive innovation, and reinforce forestry’s role as a key economic driver. We deeply appreciate the Senators’ leadership in advancing this critical legislation to secure the future of forestry in Georgia and across the nation.”
“Jamestown wishes to express our support to Senators Ossoff and Cassidy for rolling out The Forest Data Modernization Act of 2025! This forward-thinking legislation is set to bolster private working forests and the local communities that rely on them while amplifying their environmental benefits,”said Troy Harris, Managing Director of Timberland and Innovative Wood Products at Jamestown. By investing in FIA modernization, we’re not only fostering forest stewardship, market innovation, and rural job creation, but also pushing forward the economic and environmental benefits that private working forests deliver. Let’s not forget the emerging role of mass timber in sustainable building practices. As a timberland manager and the developer of 619 Ponce, Georgia’s first sustainably grown building, we see firsthand how this sector will undoubtedly benefit from this modernized data. We’re eager to partner with Senators Ossoff and Cassidy, along with the entire Congress, to see this act through and boost forest sustainability through the Forest Data Modernization Act of 2025.”
“For nearly a century, the USDA Forest Service’s Forest Inventory and Analysis Program –referred to as “America’s Forest Census” – has been recognized as a world leader in national-scale forest data collection and analysis,” said Patty Cormier, NASF President and Maine State Forester.“Implemented in partnership with many state forestry agencies, FIA provides crucial data to aid in forest management decisions by states and many others in the forestry sector. Modernizing FIA will greatly help with the production of high-quality, standardized and easily accessible data that will continue to drive smart and efficient outcomes on the ground that benefit our nation’s forests and rural economies.”
“As a manager of timberlands in the U.S. South and Pacific Northwest, Rayonier is committed to the responsible management of every acre of our working forests. Reliable data is at the center of our forest management decisions. We are encouraged by the introduction of Senator Ossoff ad Senator Cassidy’s Forest Data Modernization Act of 2025, as it will help meet the needs of advanced forestry practices that will continue to position our forests to be solutions to the challenges faced by current and future generations.,” said Andres Villegas, Vice President Public Affairs & Communications, Rayonier.
“The unbiased and respected data collected by the USDA’s Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) program provides a shared baseline of data across the nation and helps to provide states with the information they need to assure that regulatory and incentive decisions are based on consistent, real-world data. It also serves as a valuable tool to forest landowners making management decisions,” said Julia Grant, Director of Policy, Partnerships, & Sustainability, Green Diamond Resource Company.
“As a manager of timberlands throughout North America, F&W Forestry Services works with timberland owners to help them make management decisions that maximize the potential of private forests. Reliable data is at the center of these decisions and F&W strongly supports the Forest Data Modernization Act of 2025 as it is needed to help meet the needs of advanced forestry practices that will continue to position our forests to be solutions to the challenges faced by current and future generations,” said Jody Strickland, Chief Business Officer of F&W Forestry Services in Albany, GA.
“We fully support and appreciate Senator Ossoff’s efforts with helping Georgia Forest landowners acquire needed and necessary data to continue to manage our family forests sustainability for future generations,” said Scott Griffin, President & CEO of Superior Pine Products Company in Fargo, GA.
Click here to read the bipartisan Forest Data Modernization Act.
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