La. bill aims for solution to state’s forest devastation from drought, excessive heat

PINEVILLE, La. (KALB) - A Central Louisiana lawmaker is pushing for legislation to combat the devastation of the state’s forest industry. This is due to last summer’s drought, which is still having effects across the Cenla region.

Pineville resident Mike Tudor said 14 pine trees are dead in his neighborhood strictly from the drought and heat.

“This is sort of a silent plague that’s hit us as a result of the drought last summer,” he said. “I mean, it costs thousands of dollars for this. I’ve seen some of these homes have five or six pines. They’re looking at a financial disaster.”

It is a danger for some residents in the Cenla region, both from a physical and financial standpoint.

“Well, the worst case scenario is the cost of taking them down, and then if a homeowner can’t afford to do it, at some point, these trees, or parts of these gigantic trees, will fall and hit the house,” said Tudor. “Of course, your insurance company will help at that point, but who wants a pine tree in their house?”

“Now we’ve seen an infestation of beetles, various forms of beetles,” said La. House Speaker Pro Tempore and Cenla State Representative Mike Johnson (R-District 27), who authored House Resolution 119 (HR 119).

The measure would appoint a subcommittee within the House Committee on Agriculture, Forestry, Aquaculture and Rural Development, with advice from the La. Department of Agriculture and Forestry, Public Service Commission, Forestry Association and Governor’s Office, among other entities.

“We’re trying to address the problem as quickly as we can and as forcefully as we can with every branch of government and every area of government and civic groups that can sit down and share information,” said Johnson. “How can we prevent it, how can we stop the spread, and what can we do to try to eliminate and remove those trees that pose a danger?”

On September 5, 2023, the U.S. Drought Monitor showed Cenla parishes experiencing D3 and D4 drought, the worst drought conditions possible.

Luckily, the latest U.S. Drought Monitor released on May 2 revealed Louisiana does not have any drought recorded.

However, according to Tudor, the death of pine trees in Cenla is a silent plague of homeowners.

“It has huge consequences for our homeowners if they’ve got these big pines, like many of my neighbors do,” Tudor said. “This is a terrible plague, really. These are great assets. I love Pineville, and I love the pines.”

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