Smokey Bear and Trump’s Logging Policies

The iconic figure, Smokey Bear, once stood as the primary symbol with a clear message: “Only you can prevent wildfires.” In recent years, President Donald Trump introduced a new perspective, suggesting that increasing logging activities would help in forest fire prevention. This viewpoint is just part of a larger approach by the Trump administration, wherein conservation is replaced by exploitation as a national agenda wherever feasible.

Initiatives include a proposed 25 percent increase in logging activities. Efforts are underway to repeal the “roadless rule,” which protected 45 million acres of untouched forests from logging. Environmental regulations have been softened, favoring loggers and miners with expedited processes. The Public Lands Rule has been rescinded, reducing the focus on conservation alongside commercial development of public lands.

The Trump administration asserts that logging prevents forest fires. While a forest cleared of trees won’t burn, the belief that extensive logging facilitates better fire breaks warrants scrutiny. A recent study supports Smokey Bear’s classic assertion that human negligence, more than anything, instigates forest fires.

The debate over Trump’s influence over public land management requires attention to legal distinctions. The federal government owns vast swathes of undeveloped land. The Bureau of Land Management oversees 245 million acres, now witnessing diminishing protections. However, specially protected federal lands, such as national parks, encompass millions of acres safeguarded by congressional decree. These parks should remain untouched for future generations’ enjoyment. Yet, the Trump administration plans indicate otherwise.

Yosemite is among the lands that may see portions transferred to private developers. Big Bend National Park in Texas experiences bulldozing for border wall expansion. Drilling buffers near Chaco Culture National Historical Park in New Mexico are also eliminated. A concerning symbol of this shifting policy is evident in the U.S. Virgin Islands National Park.

Laurence Rockefeller’s donation of 5,000 pristine acres ensured responsible maintenance of the land. In 2023, 150 acres intended for an eco-resort were returned to the park system after storm damage. Plans to rejuvenate 67 acres with limited accommodations prioritized public access, historic site protection, and local businesses. Under the new administration, unrestricted development is favored.

Local communities, including the author, mobilize to oppose this disregard for conservation efforts. Environmental assessments reveal negative impacts of existing plans. Federal law stipulates rational decision-making, supporting park preservation. Historic Republican presidents like Dwight D. Eisenhower and Ulysses S. Grant showcased commitment to conserving. Theodore Roosevelt remains a stalwart advocate of national parks.

Johnny Horizon, once Smokey Bear’s companion mascot, emphasized respect for public lands, encouraging treatment as owned resources. These sentiments remain vital today in the defense of natural conservation values.

Thomas G. Moukawsher, a former Connecticut complex litigation judge, authored “The Common Flaw: Needless Complexity in the Courts and 50 Ways to Reduce It” and his forthcoming book “How to Sue the Government.” These views reflect the author’s perspectives.