Statement from NAHB Chairman Chuck Fowke on Plan to Block Logging in Tongass National Forest

Chuck Fowke, chairman of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and a custom home builder from Tampa, Fla., today issued the following statement on the Biden administration’s plan to block logging in Alaska’s Tongass National Forest:

“It is inexplicable and extremely disappointing that with the nation in the midst of a housing affordability crisis, the Biden administration continues to take steps to make lumber less accessible and more expensive for American home buyers. Blocking logging in Alaska’s Tongass National Forest will exacerbate housing affordability woes as builders continue to struggle with lumber supply chain bottlenecks that have added thousands of dollars to the cost of a new home. And the Commerce Department’s plan to double Canadian lumber tariffs will only make a bad situation worse by acting as a tax on American home buyers and home owners.

“We can protect our forests while further meeting the nation’s need for lumber by encouraging increased logging on federal forest lands in an environmentally sustainable manner. And with lumber price volatility at record levels over the past year, the administration needs to suspend duties on Canadian lumber and negotiate a new softwood lumber agreement with Canada that will ensure a lasting and stable supply of lumber for American home builders and consumers at a competitive price.”