SOCIETY OF AMERICAN FORESTERS' FOREST POLICY UPDATE© FOR THE WEEK OF MAY 5, 2008
ACTIVITIES OF THE SAF NATIONAL OFFICE AND COMMITTEE ON FOREST POLICY
May 5th –Michael Goergen's comments on Fiscal Year 2009 Appropriations Bill for USDA Forest Service
Some of our members have expressed concern about SAF's recent testimony on the Fiscal Year 2009 Appropriations Bill that covers funding for the USDA Forest Service. These specific concerns are about the State and Private Forestry programs.
SAF recommended a $98 million increase to $207.5 million over the President's proposal of $109.5 million. This is a substantial increase over the funding proposed by the President's Budget; unfortunately, it represents a reduction in funding from the fiscal year 2008 enacted for S&P of $262.8 million.
This year's budget process is a difficult one. There are tremendous pressures including the war in Iraq and the state of the US Economy. With limited funding, we felt it was prudent to provide a realistic budget proposal to the Congress. After our conversations with Administration officials, Congress, SAF members, and our own analysis and investigation, we believed we could not ask for blanket increases across all USFS programs and still appear credible. We do not have the luxury of groups with more narrow missions, more narrow memberships, or more narrow geographic limits that are able to focus on individual programs. We regret that this causes frustration amongst segments of our membership, but feel that an almost $100 million request above the President's budget proposal indicates strong support for state and private forestry programs—and that we emphasized this point in our written testimony. If you have additional concerns, please feel free to contact Michael Goergen at goergenm@safnet.org.
The SAF National Office has recently submitted testimony and comments on several Federal and Congressional actions:
April 23rd- Testimony by Tom Thompson, Society of American Foresters President, before the Senate Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on Interior and Related Agencies regarding Forest Service Fiscal Year 2009 appropriations.
Apr 2nd – Letter to Congressman Bob Etheridge (D-NC) regarding the definition of renewable biomass in the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007.
Mar 13th – Letter of testimony to U.S. House Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on Interior and Related Agencies regarding Forest Service Fiscal Year 2009 appropriations.
Mar 12th - Joint letter to U.S. Senate Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies regarding USDA APHIS funding for Fiscal Year 2009.
Mar 12th – Joint letter to U.S. House Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies regarding USDA APHIS funding for Fiscal Year 2009.
Mar 12th - Joint letter to U.S. Senate Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies regarding U.S. Forest Service Forest Health Management Fiscal Year 2009 appropriations.
Mar 11th – Joint letter to U.S. House Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on Interior and Related Agencies regarding U.S. Forest Service Forest Health Management Fiscal Year 2009 appropriations.
Mar 3rd – Letter to Department of Interior on it s proposed national Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) administrative rules.
Text of all comments and testimony is available on the SAF Position Statement webpage: http://www.safnet.org/policyandpress/positionstatements.cfm#ct
The SAF Committee on Forest Policy has recently updated the SAF's position statements on "Conservation Easements," "Timber Harvesting on Public Lands," and completed a new position statement on "Forest Tree Biotechnology." The position statements can be viewed online at: http://www.safnet.org/policyandpress/positionstatements.cfm
For more information about the CFP visit: http://www.safnet.org/policyandpress/forestpolicy.cfm
The SAF National Office serves as the voice of professional forestry through its active role in several forestry, natural resources, and agricultural groups and coalitions...
25 x '25 (www.25x25.org) - The SAF is proud to be a member of 25 x '25 and currently sits on its Sustainability Working Group. The goal of 25 x '25 is to have 25% of our energy needs being fulfilled by renewable resources from our nation's farms, ranches, forests, and other lands by the 2025.
Continental Dialogue on Non-Native Forest Insects and Diseases (www.continentalforestdialogue.org) – The SAF sits on this organization's Steering Committee and assists in its mission of "cultivating and catalyzing collaborative action among diverse interests to abate the threat to North American forests from non-native insects and diseases."
Sustainable Urban Forestry Coalition (http://www.urbanforestcoalition.com/) – The SAF is involved in this diverse group which is "working to advance a unified urban forest agenda for our nation's communities." In addition to its many members, the US Forest Service has supported the SUFC with a grant through its Urban and Community Forestry Program.
Additional groups in which the SAF plays a role include:
Forest Carbon Education Group
The FCEG's Guidance Document on Managed Forests in Climate Change Policy can be viewed on the SAF Policy Webpage: http://www.safnet.org/policyandpress/documents/managedforests_12-14-07.pdf
Wildland Fire Leadership Council
Western Governors' Association Forest Health Advisory Committee
The SAF National Office Policy Department is also engaged in the SAF Climate Change Task Force and its soon-to-be-released report on the role of forests and forest management in climate change.
THIS WEEK IN CONGRESS
ON THE SENATE FLOOR
The Senate will be in session. No forestry related bills are expected on the floor.
Forestry related legislation that has been introduced and is awaiting consideration includes:
S. 1478, Roadless Area Conservation Act of 2007, to provide lasting protection for inventoried roadless areas within the National Forest System. Sponsored by Sen. Cantwell (D-WA).
S. 2316, a bill to designate a portion of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge as wilderness. Sponsored by Sen. Lieberman (I-CT).
S. 2390, the Fire-Safe Communities Act, a bill to promote fire-safe communities, and for other purposes. Sponsored by Sen. Feinstein (D-CA).
S. 2468, a bill to authorize the Secretary of Agriculture (acting through the Chief of the Forest Service) to enter into a cooperative agreement with the State of Wyoming to allow the State of Wyoming to conduct certain forest and watershed restoration services, and for other purposes. Sponsored by Sen. Barrasso (R-WY).
S. 2558, a bill to amend the Clean Air Act to modify a definition. Sponsored by Sen. Thune (R-SD).
For text of the bills visit: http://thomas.loc.gov
For additional information visit: http://www.senate.gov/
ON THE HOUSE FLOOR
The House will be in session. No forestry related bills are expected on the floor.
Forestry related legislation that has been introduced and is awaiting consideration includes:
H.R. 39, Udall-Eisenhower Arctic Wilderness Act, to preserve the Arctic coastal plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska, as wilderness in recognition of its extraordinary natural ecosystems and for the permanent good of present and future generations of Americans. Sponsored by Rep. Markey (D-MA).
H.R. 2516, National Forest Roadless Area Conservation Act, to protect inventoried roadless areas in the National Forest System. Sponsored by Rep. Inslee (D-WA).
H.R. 4245, Saving American Lives and Investing in Protecting Land And Nature Act, to amend the Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003 to provide for the categorical exclusion of certain projects on Federal land located adjacent to non-Federal land from documentation in an environmental impact statement or environmental assessment when conditions on the Federal land pose a serious risk to the non-Federal land, to authorize the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of the Interior to enter into contracts or agreements for forest projects on Federal land with non-Federal entities that own adjacent land, and for other purposes. Sponsored by Rep. Sali (R-ID).
H.R. 4291, North Country National Scenic Trail Route Adjustment Act of 2007, to revise the authorized route of the North Country National Scenic Trail in northeastern Minnesota to include existing hiking trails along Lake Superior's north shore and in Superior National Forest and Chippewa National Forest, and for other purposes. Sponsored by Rep. Oberstar (D-MN).
H.R. 5216, the Wildfire Risk Reduction and Renewable Biomass Utilization Act. Sponsored by Rep. Udall (D-CO).
H.R. 5236, to promote the use of certain materials harvested from public lands in the production of renewable fuel, and for other purposes. Sponsored by Rep. Herseth-Sandlin (D-SD).
For text of the bills visit: http://thomas.loc.gov
For additional information visit: http://www.house.gov
IN SENATE COMMITTEES
There are no forestry related hearings scheduled in the Senate this week.
IN HOUSE COMMITTEES
Renewable Fuels Standard
May 6th- The House Energy and Commerce Committee, Subcommittee on Energy and Air Quality (Chairman Boucher, D-VA) will hold a hearing regarding issues over the implementation of the Renewable Fuels Standard.
The hearing will take place at 10:30 am in room 2123 Rayburn House Building.
For additional information visit: http://energycommerce.house.gov/membios/schedule.shtml
IN THE ADMINISTRATION
Forest Service Mobilizes Kids for Conservation
Apr 24th- The Forest Service has announced 16 awards, totaling half a million dollars, to Forest Service project leaders around the nation. The award money is intended to help leaders from a variety of schools, environmental and youth non-profit groups, Native American Tribes, and other organizations to teach kids about the natural world and the importance of our forests and rangelands. Over 270 proposals were considered for the awards which will reach over $2 million after matching funds from other Forest Service partners.
For additional information visit: http://www.fs.fed.us/news/2008/releases/04/kids.shtml
IN THE STATES
Montana
Apr 29th- Decades-old agreements on road access between the Forest Service and private timber companies are now causing controversy between local land managers. Since Plum Creek Timber Co. restructured itself as a real estate investment trust 9 years ago, its logging roads are now being used as construction roads for real estate development on the former timberlands. However, while Plum Creek Timber interpreted its use of the easements broadly, the Forest Service intended those roads to be used for logging purposes only.
For additional information visit: http://missoulian.com/articles/2008/04/28/news/local/znews03.txt
Washington
Apr 30th- After being blocked for several years in the House of Representatives, the Wild Sky Wilderness has finally been passed by Congress and is awaiting the President's signature. The legislation is part of a package of bills that was passed by the Senate April 10th and by the House on the 29th. The wilderness area will protect 106,000 acres within the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest.
For additional information visit: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2004382079_wildsky30m.html
CLIMATE CHANGE UPDATE
In Congress
H.R. 6, Renewable Fuels, Consumer Protection and Energy Efficiency Act of 2007 (Sponsored by Rep. Rahall, D-WV). This bill was passed by the Senate on June 21, 2007 and by the House on December 6, 2007. The bill was given final approval by the House on December 18th and was signed into Public Law 110-140 by the President on December 19th.
H.R. 3221, Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation Tax Act of 2007 (Sponsored by Rep. Pelosi, D-CA). This bill was under consideration in the Senate until an objection was heard on October 19, 2007. Provisions of this legislation were integrated into H.R. 6 and signed into law.
S. 2191, America's Climate Security Act of 2007 (Sponsored by Sen. Lieberman, I-CT and Sen. Warner, R-VA). This bill was considered by the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works (Chairman Boxer, D-CA). Bill was amended and passed by committee on December 5, 2007 and is expected to reach the Senate floor within the next few months.
S. 2307, Global Change Research Improvement Act of 2007 (Sponsored by Sen. Kerry, D-MA). Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee (Chairman Kerry, D-MA) hearing was held on Tuesday, December 4th.
S. 2355, Climate Change Adaptation Act of 2007 (Sponsored by Sen. Cantwell, D-WA). Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee (Chairman Kerry, D-MA) hearing was held on Tuesday, December 4th.
For text of the bills visit: http://thomas.loc.gov
LAST WEEK IN CONGRESS
There were no forestry related hearings held last week.
FUTURE FILE
Greening Washington and the Capital Region
TBA - The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management (Chairman Norton, D-DC) will hold a series of hearings titled "Greening Washington and the National Capital Region."
The hearings will take place at a time TBA in room 2167 Rayburn House Building.
For additional information visit: http://transportation.house.gov/subcommittees/economic.aspx?scid=3
(c) 2008 Society of American Foresters
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