BELLINGHAM, WA – (KGMI.com) The Biden Administration is looking to limit logging in old growth forests in an effort to mitigate climate change.

The initiative to change how forests are managed is the first of its kind according to the administration.

In a document released by the Department of Agriculture, the federal government is planning to amend land management plans across the country at once.

Changes include providing direction to conserve forests and recruit future old-growth forests.

The amendments intend to foster resilience in old-growth forests.

With over 13 million acres of old growth and older forests in Western Washington, the new restrictions could impact our local area significantly.

An immediate change to policy is any projects proposed affecting vegetation in these forests need to go through the National Forest System Deputy Chief for review and approval.

The other changes will be slower to take effect, and function as part of Biden’s Earth Day 2022 executive order.