Wiregrass Daily News
Alabama’s Tuberville Backs Bill To Fight Pine Beetle Damage
By Sharla Fletcher
WASHINGTON (WDNews) — U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.) has joined Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) in reintroducing the Emergency Pine Beetle Response Act of 2025, legislation designed to help landowners, timber businesses, and local communities recover from forest-related disasters, including the destructive southern pine beetle infestation.
Last year in Alabama, pine beetles damaged about 3.1 million trees, causing an estimated $87 million in economic losses. The bill would strengthen federal programs, give the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) more tools to respond to outbreaks, and create financial relief options for producers.
“Southern pine beetles have a disastrous impact on our forests, killing pine trees and decimating the economic value of our timber,” Tuberville said. “Infected trees are not marketable, and our landowners are struggling to survive due to these pests. Foresters are our ultimate conservationists and play a critical role in promoting forest health. I’m proud to join Senator Hyde-Smith in The Emergency Pine Beetle Response Act of 2025 to empower the USDA and landowners to remove damaged trees without burdensome government regulations and be eligible for compensation to ease their losses. I’ll continue fighting for commonsense policies that support our foresters.”
Hyde-Smith added that the problem continues even after recent droughts ended. “The end of drought conditions didn’t end the pine beetle infestation or lessen costs to combat them. There is a real need to tailor USDA disaster programs to truly help states like Mississippi where most of its forests are privately owned or within city limits. Most of these folks do not have the upfront money to carry out timely or thorough eradication work. The Emergency Pine Beetle Response Act addresses these issues effectively.”
Industry leaders in Alabama voiced support for the legislation. “The key to limiting the damage caused by an outbreak of southern pine beetles is early detection and rapid response,” said Chris Isaacson, President & CEO of the Alabama Forestry Association. “This bill will provide resources needed in a timely manner for landowners and harvesting professionals to implement control measures to limit further damage. We appreciate Senator Tuberville’s support of Alabama’s forest landowners and harvesting professionals and his commitment to keep Alabama’s forests healthy and growing.”
Rick Oates, Alabama’s State Forester, agreed. “We appreciate and support Senator Tuberville’s efforts to help landowners recover from the impacts of the destruction caused by Southern pine beetles in Alabama,” Oates said. “Once these insects attack a stand, the financial loss can be substantial. This bill, if passed, will be highly beneficial to landowners who suffer devastating losses and will also serve as a valuable way to protect the health of all of Alabama’s forests.”
The measure is co-sponsored by Senators Katie Britt (R-Ala.), John Kennedy (R-La.), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), and John Ossoff (D-Ga.).