Fourth District Congressman Bruce Westerman is advancing the Crossett Experimental Forest Act of 2026 (H.R. 10136) to transfer the federally owned Crossett Experimental Forest in Ashley County to the State of Arkansas while preserving forestry research and education.
The roughly 1,675-acre site has hosted federal forestry research since 1934, when Crossett Lumber Company provided land for work on loblolly and shortleaf pine. Westerman said the University of Arkansas at Monticello, the Arkansas forestry agency and the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission would remain partners if ownership shifts to a state forest.
A House Natural Resources hearing in early September was followed by committee markup mid-month; the bill has not yet cleared the full House. Westerman noted the forest has lacked an on-site research scientist since the death of Forest Service researcher Don Bragg, who was based in Monticello.
Source: KVOM — Arkansas Legislation Seeks State Ownership of Crossett Experimental Forest (Sept. 4, 2026); Congress.gov — H.R.10136.
