Trump takes actions to increase lumber supplies and curb wood imports

President Trump on Saturday signed a pair of actions to increase domestic lumber production, including a directive for the Commerce Department to investigate the possible harms that lumber imports pose to national security.

The president signed an executive order to increase the possible supplies of timber and lumber and possibly lower housing and construction costs, according to senior administration officials who spoke on condition of anonymity to preview the actions on a call with reporters. The goal is to streamline the permitting process by salvaging more wood from forests and expand how much wood product can be offered for sale, a senior White House official said.

The official said the order would also help prevent wildfires and improve the habitat for animals. The order would streamline the permitting process for obtaining wood products.

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