House Passes Barr's White Oak Amendment
Earlier this week, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the "Fix Our Forests Act," which included Congressman Andy Barr’s amendment to establish the White Oak Restoration Initiative Coalition in response to the projected decline of white oak populations over the next two decades. Currently spanning 104 million acres across the United States, white oak plays a crucial role in supporting biodiversity, wildlife habitats, and the economy. As one of the most valuable tree species in the eastern U.S., white oak is indispensable to a variety of industries, from furniture and flooring to cabinetry and, most notably, barrels used for aging wine, whiskey, and Kentucky bourbon.
“White oak is essential to Kentucky’s bourbon industry and the broader economy of the Sixth District. The creation of the White Oak Restoration Initiative Coalition is a proactive step to ensure that this critical resource continues to thrive,” said Rep. Barr (KY-06). “This initiative will not only support the preservation of white oak for the future, but it will also safeguard the jobs and industries that rely on it. I’m proud to champion this effort to protect one of Kentucky’s most valuable natural assets.”
“You can’t have bourbon without white oak,” said Rep. McGarvey (KY-03). “Rep. Barr has been a great partner on this effort, and I’m proud to see it advance out of the House under his amendment. This is a key step in making sure we have enough white oak to support our environment—and bourbon—for generations to come.”
“I am proud to have joined a bipartisan majority of House lawmakers in supporting the White Oak Resilience Act to provide long-term sustainability for our White Oak forests,” said Rep. Ami Bera (CA-06). “Covering millions of acres across America, White Oak forests support numerous wildlife and plant ecosystems while serving as a critical resource for several American industries from furniture to wine and spirits. This bill is a comprehensive investment in the conservation and restoration activities across several federal land management agencies for White Oak trees. I look forward to working with the Senate to get the White Oak Resilience Act signed into law so we can conserve this critical resource for generations to come.”
The amendment also encourages the US Forest Service to work alongside private and state partners at no cost to the taxpayer, asks the Forest Service and the Department of Interior to regenerate white oak through a series of pilot projects on national parks and volunteered private lands, and allows the Forest Service to enter memorandums of understanding with land grant institutions to conduct much-needed research on white oak.