05/27/2026
🚨CENLA UPDATE🚨State Rep. Gabe Firment filed the bill in opposition to transferring Kisatchie National Forest Land to private entities or local government agencies.
His statement: “Today, I proudly filed House Resolution 343 to express strong opposition to the proposed transfer of portions of Kisatchie National Forest in Grant Parish from federal ownership to local government or private entities.
First and foremost, I want to make clear that the individuals who explored and discussed this proposal did so with good intentions and a sincere desire to help Grant Parish and Central Louisiana prosper economically. I appreciate their love for our communities and their willingness to think boldly about the future of our region. While we may disagree on the path forward, there should be no doubt that their motives were rooted in a genuine desire to improve the lives of our people.
But for many of us who call Grant Parish home, Kisatchie National Forest is far more than acreage on a map. It is part of our identity, our heritage, and our way of life.
Grant Parish is unique among all Louisiana parishes because it contains more national forest land than any other parish in our state. Generations of families have grown up hunting its woods, fishing its waters, camping beneath its towering pines, riding its trails, and teaching their children and grandchildren to cherish the outdoors. Louisiana proudly calls itself the “Sportsman’s Paradise,” and nowhere is that spirit more alive than in the piney hills and beautiful wilderness of Kisatchie.
As Christians, we also recognize a deeper responsibility. Scripture teaches us that we are called to be good stewards of God’s creation. These forests, lakes, wildlife habitats, and scenic landscapes are blessings entrusted to our care — not just for our enjoyment today, but for the generations who will follow us tomorrow.
Kisatchie National Forest represents something rare and precious in today’s world: a place where families can still experience God’s creation in its natural beauty, where sportsmen can continue traditions passed down for generations, and where our children can learn to appreciate the outdoors that shaped the culture of Central Louisiana.
I believe we can pursue economic opportunity and growth while still protecting the natural treasures that make Grant Parish special. We do not have to choose between prosperity and preservation.
HR 343 affirms our commitment to protecting Kisatchie National Forest while encouraging continued investment in outdoor recreation, conservation, tourism, and family-friendly opportunities that honor the heritage and values of our region.
Kisatchie is part of who we are — and I will continue fighting to preserve it for generations to come.
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 343
BY REPRESENTATIVE FIRMENT
CONGRESS: Memorializes Congress to oppose any effort to transfer, divest, privatize, or dispose of Kisatchie National Forest lands or otherwise remove such lands from
federal ownership and management
A RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, the Kisatchie National Forest stands as one of Louisiana's greatest
natural treasures and represents a vast and irreplaceable landscape of towering pines, rolling hills, hardwood bottoms, winding creeks, pristine lakes, scenic trails, and abundant wildlife that together form a living testament to the beauty and spirit of central Louisiana; and
WHEREAS, Grant Parish occupies a uniquely honored place within the state of
Louisiana because it contains more acreage of the Kisatchie National Forest than any other
parish in the state, a distinction that generations of Grant Parish citizens have embraced with profound pride, gratitude, and reverence; and
WHEREAS, the people of Grant Parish have long understood that the Kisatchie National Forest is far more than merely public land, but is instead an essential part of the parish's identity, heritage, culture, economy, and way of life; and
WHEREAS, countless families throughout Grant Parish have built lifelong memories within the forest through hunting, fishing, camping, hiking, horseback riding, birdwatching, boating, trail riding, wildlife observing, and countless other outdoor traditions that have been lovingly passed down from one generation to the next; and
WHEREAS, the forests, streams, and wilderness areas of Kisatchie provide a refuge from the pressures of modern life and offer families, children, sportsmen, conservationists, veterans, and visitors alike the rare opportunity to experience quiet solitude, natural beauty, outdoor adventure, and a meaningful connection to God's creation; and
WHEREAS, the Kisatchie National Forest serves as an economic driver for Grant Parish and surrounding communities through tourism, outdoor recreation, sporting activities, hospitality, forestry, and small business development, while simultaneously preserving the scenic character and rural heritage that make Grant Parish so exceptional; and
WHEREAS, the preservation of large, publicly accessible tracts of undeveloped wilderness is becoming increasingly rare throughout the United States, making the Kisatchie National Forest an even more valuable and irreplaceable asset for future generations of Louisianians; and
WHEREAS, the citizens of Grant Parish deeply value the principle that the Kisatchie National Forest belongs to the people and should remain protected and accessible for the enjoyment, recreation, and benefit of present and future generations; and
WHEREAS, recent discussions and proposals concerning the possible transfer of portions of the Kisatchie National Forest from federal ownership to ownership by the state, local governmental entities, private interests, or other nonfederal ownership structures have generated significant concern among the citizens of Grant Parish and throughout central Louisiana; and
WHEREAS, while the authors and supporters of such proposals may be motivated by sincere and well-intended concerns regarding land management, economic development, local control, or governmental efficiency, the citizens of Grant Parish nevertheless firmly believe that the long-term risks associated with fragmentation, privatization, restricted public access, commercial overdevelopment, and potential loss of conservation protections
outweigh any perceived benefits of such transfers; and
WHEREAS, the desire of the people of Grant Parish is not the reduction or divestiture of the Kisatchie National Forest, but rather renewed investment in the forest and its surrounding communities through enhanced recreational infrastructure, expanded family-friendly activities, improved campgrounds and trails, increased conservation efforts, tourism promotion, and greater opportunities for outdoor education and public enjoyment; and
WHEREAS, the Kisatchie National Forest represents a sacred inheritance entrusted to the current generation for careful stewardship and preservation so that future generations may continue to experience the same freedom, beauty, outdoor traditions, and sense of wonder that have defined life in Grant Parish for decades.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby memorialize the United States Congress to oppose any effort to transfer, privatize, divest, or otherwise remove portions of the Kisatchie National Forest located within Grant Parish from federal public ownership.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the House of Representatives does hereby recognize the extraordinary importance of the Kisatchie National Forest to the heritage, identity, culture, economy, recreation, and quality of life of the citizens of Grant Parish and the state of Louisiana.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the House of Representatives respectfully urges and requests the Congress of the United States to oppose proposals seeking to transfer or privatize portions of the Kisatchie National Forest and to instead work collaboratively with local communities to preserve and strengthen public access, conservation, and responsible stewardship of the forest.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the House of Representatives urges and requests increased federal and state investment in outdoor recreation, tourism, conservation, trails, campgrounds, youth programs, family-oriented activities, wildlife habitat management, and other initiatives designed to maximize the tremendous recreational and economic potential associated with the Kisatchie National Forest in Grant Parish.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the United States secretary of Agriculture, the chief of the United States Forest Service, the presiding officers of the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Congress of the United States of America, and to each member of the Louisiana congressional delegation.”
