The U.S. Forest Service’s October 20, 2026 National Forest Products Week update may sound at first like a report about timber production, but for California’s OHV and off-road community, the larger message is much more important: the Forest Service is continuing to move toward more active management of our National Forests.

That matters directly to CORVA and every motorized recreationist who depends on National Forest lands for access.

Forest Service Chief Tom Schultz reported that the agency sold 3.3 billion board feet of timber in fiscal year 2026—the highest amount from federal lands since 1997—and exceeded its annual target by 103 million board feet. The agency described this work as part of a broader effort to improve forest health, reduce wildfire risk, strengthen rural economies, and implement Forest Plans more effectively.

From CORVA’s perspective, this is significant because healthy, actively managed forests are closely tied to reliable public access.

California off-roaders have seen firsthand what happens when catastrophic wildfire moves through poorly managed forest landscapes. Roads and trails can be closed for months or years because of burned trees, unstable slopes, damaged bridges, erosion, debris flows, and public-safety concerns. In some cases, temporary emergency closures can remain in place far longer than the recreation community expected.

Responsible vegetation management, fuels reduction, timber removal, road maintenance, and post-fire restoration can all play an important role in keeping forests healthier and making them more resilient to severe wildfire.

CORVA supports responsible, science-based forest management that protects natural resources while preserving reasonable public access and recreation opportunities. Active forest management should not be viewed as being in conflict with recreation. Properly planned, it can help protect the very roads, trails, staging areas, campgrounds, and recreation corridors that OHV users depend upon.

This Forest Service announcement is also important because it comes at a time when several major federal land-management policies are under review, including the 2005 Travel Management Rule, Roadless Rule policy, wildfire and forest-health strategies, and other regulations affecting how National Forest lands are managed.

CORVA is closely watching these developments because changes at the national level can have very real consequences here in California. Decisions involving forest roads, timber management, wildfire mitigation, route designation, road maintenance, seasonal closures, and emergency access can ultimately determine whether Californians are able to continue reaching and enjoying their public lands.

CORVA also believes that active forest management must include continued consideration of the transportation system necessary to manage the forest. Forest roads are not only used for recreation. They provide access for firefighters, law enforcement, search and rescue, utility maintenance, timber operations, forest restoration, and emergency response. Maintaining a functional road network can serve both management needs and public recreation.

That is why CORVA continues to keep its finger on the pulse of federal land-management policy.

An announcement about timber production may not immediately appear to be an OHV issue, but changes in how the Forest Service manages millions of acres of federal land can eventually influence everything from wildfire closures to road maintenance and motorized trail access.

For California’s off-road community, these are exactly the kinds of developments CORVA must monitor early—before they become decisions that directly affect access.

CORVA will continue following Forest Service policy, participating in public-comment opportunities, working with land managers, and advocating for responsible forest management that protects both our natural resources and the public’s ability to access and enjoy them.

Healthy forests. Responsible management. Continued public access.

Those goals can—and should—work together.