U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Tours Kretz Lumber in Antigo to Highlight Wisconsin’s Timber Economy

ANTIGO, WI – U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin today toured Kretz Lumber in Antigo to highlight Wisconsin’s timber economy. Senator Baldwin was joined by Kretz Lumber leadership and members of the Great Lakes Timber Professionals Association for the tour.

“Our timber economy in northern and central Wisconsin is facing a number of challenges that need to be addressed,” said Senator Baldwin. “Today’s tour shows the importance of building on the progress we’ve made by continuing to work with industry stakeholders in Wisconsin and the U.S. Forest Service. By working together, we can help create a more stable supply of timber from our federal lands, while sustainably managing our resources.”

Senator Baldwin has been a strong supporter of Wisconsin’s timber economy. She has championed the use of Good Neighbor Authority in Wisconsin, which was established by an agreement signed by the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources in 2015. Good Neighbor Authority was passed in the 2014 Farm Bill, which Baldwin supported. It allows the Forest Service to enter into agreements or contracts with states to have them perform forest, rangeland and watershed restoration services on National Forest System lands. Senator Baldwin has also fought to end “fire borrowing,” where U.S. Forest Service funds have been regularly diverted from Wisconsin forests to fight wildfires in the west.