Reports From The States

[Ron Scott]

Pennsylvania

Review Hails Management of Pennsylvania’s State Forests

March 23 – The Gant Daily (PA) has reported that SmartWood has once again certified Pennsylvania state forestlands as well-managed. Conducted in the summer of 2008, SmartWood’s audit praised the Bureau of Forestry for its strong conservation ethic, ongoing public involvement in management policies, and efforts to resolve conflicts among often-diverse user groups.

To read the article about the SmartWood audit, visit the Gant Daily website.

To view SmartWood’s evaluation, visit the PA Department of Natural Resources website. Information about forest management in the state also is available on the DNR website.

[Ron Scott]

Arkansas

Wood Utility Poles Weather Recession

March 22 – According to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, the depressed US housing market has decreased demand for most wood products, but not wood utility-poles. Treated Materials Company, which established a pole mill two years ago near Rison, has operated around the clock after an ice storm hit northern Arkansas in January. Despite their vulnerability to heavy coatings of ice, pressure-treated wood remains the material of choice for telephone and power poles.

For more information, visit the website of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.

[Ron Scott]

Canada

Annual State of Canada’s Forests Report Released

Every year, Natural Resources Canada publishes and posts its annual report, The State of Canada’s Forests, which provides a snapshot of forestry in Canada in 2008. Current issues in the report include the spread of mountain pine beetle, adaption to climate change through innovation, technology for the forest sector, environmental performance versus environmental reputation, and the outlook for Canada’s forests. Canada is currently a world leader in sustainable forest management with the most certified area worldwide, but the report urges Canada to exceed current standards.

The report is available for download on the Natural Resources Canada website.

[Ron Scott]

PENNSYLVANIA

Budget shortfall could shut at least 35 Pa. parks. The state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources said it would need to close at least 35 state parks for the summer and reduce public access to state forests under a state Senate budget plan passed last week that slashes departmental appropriations.
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09135/970373-454.stm

SAF Policy Update

[Ron Scott]

MASSACHUSSETTS

More land saved than developed - Through the 1990s and the early part of this decade, forests and fields were being developed at the rate of about 40 acres a day. In recent years, a study shows that number was cut nearly in half. At the same time, conservation efforts have stepped up, so that each day 43 acres of land are protected as open space, usually through legal agreements with private owners or purchases by conservation groups or the state.
http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2009/05/18/more_land_saved_than_developed

SAF Policy Update

[Ron Scott]

Florida

St. Joe No Longer Florida's Largest Private Landowner

May 27 – The website Florida Trend recently reported that The Jacksonville-based St. Joe Company, a former paper and timber company-turned real-estate conglomerate, which has long held the title of Florida’s largest private landholder, has been topped by Plum Creek Timber Co.

In its first-quarter earnings report issued earlier this month, St. Joe, which has been selling off land in recent years, said it’s down to 585,000 acres statewide. Plum Creek, the Seattle-based Real Estate Investment Trust, owns more than 600,000.

For more information, visit the Florida Trend website.

E-Forester

[Ron Scott]

ARIZONA

Logging Project near Grand Canyon Halted

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz.- For the second time in a decade, the Center for Biological Diversity and Sierra Club have halted a U.S. Forest Service plan to log old-growth forests north of Grand Canyon. http://www.enn.com/press_releases/2984

SAF Policy Update

[Ron Scott]

California

Calif. Budget Cuts Could Close 220 Parks

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's budget cuts could mean the closing of up to 220 state parks, among them the home of the world's tallest tree and other attractions that draw millions of visitors. http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1901738,00.html

SAF Policy Update

[Tom]

2009 Wildlife Expo 

August 1, 2009; 9 am – 4 pm CT

UF-IFAS West Florida Research and Education Center, Milton, FL.

Topics: Quality Deer Management, hog & turkey hunting tips, food plot preparation, fishing & pond management, scoring whitetail deer & turkey, and much more

Fun for the whole family – kids zone features archery contest, shooting sports, fishing and casting contest, outdoor fun.

See flyer at http://wfrec.ifas.ufl.edu/ - under News and Events

For additional information please contact Ms. Robin Vickers, University of Florida at (850) 983-51216 ext. 113, rvickers@ufl.edu.
 

The Florida Forest Stewardship Events Calendar has been updated with lots of events – check it out:

http://www.sfrc.ufl.edu/extension/florida_forestry_information/events_calendar/index.html

[Ron Scott]

Oregon

Oregon's Timber Harvests Plummet Toward Historic Low

Oregon's timber harvests continued to decline in 2008, with a total harvest of 3.44 billion board feet. The total cut decreased nine percent from the 2007 harvest volume of 3.80 billion board feet. "These are the lowest harvest levels we have seen in Oregon since the recession-based lows of 2001," said Gary Lettman, Oregon Department of Forestry forest economist. "That harvest was also 3.44 billion
board feet and only a fraction of a percent lower than this year's levels. Preliminary data for 2009 project harvest levels will drop even further - to approximately 3 billion board feet."
- The Oregonian

SAF Policy Update

[Ron Scott]

California

CA Board of Forestry Passes New Forest Practice Rules

September 24 – According to the Times-Standard, after years of review and pressure to design rules that fit specific areas, the California Board of Forestry has changed its Forest Practice Rules, which had been seen as inadequate by federal fisheries agencies. The new rules deal with how trees can be cut along streams, and tighten restrictions along medium-sized streams while loosening regulations on logging and road building along rivers and major creeks.

To read more, visit the Times-Standard website.

The E-Forester

[Ron Scott]

Ohio

Ohio Investigating the Harvest of Wild Ginseng

September 24 – The Associated Press recently reported on the practice of “senging”—traipsing through the woods to dig up wild ginseng plants—which is said to be a cottage industry in Ohio and other states.

The popularity and value of the medicinal herb has raised concerns among Ohio regulators, who want to make sure that state laws are followed and ginseng is not harvested out of existence.

For more information, visit the Canton Rep.com website.

The E-Forester

[Ron Scott]

Michigan

>>> Rebecca Humphries 10/08/2009 12:31 PM >>>
Dear Colleague:

On behalf of Governor Jennifer M. Granholm and Lt. Governor John D. Cherry, Jr.   and at their request we are sharing with you information on an executive order that will be announced this afternoon, creating a new Department of Natural Resources and Environment (DNRE).  The order will take effect on January 17, 2010. 

Experience has taught us that conserving natural resources and protecting the environment go hand-in-hand.  For that reason, the state of Michigan is returning to the tradition of one department dedicated to this core mission.

The departments mission will be a familiar one to our state government family:  To conserve, manage, protect and promote Michigans natural resources, environment and related economic interests for current and future generations.  This includes implementing an ecosystem-based strategy for resource management, effectively using natural resources in a sustainable manner, and providing for continuous improvements in Michigans air, water and soils while facilitating and encouraging economic growth.

Later today, well make available to you additional information that will help answer the many questions that will be asked.  But first and foremost, let us share some of the highlights of todays executive order. 
   
Natural Resources Commission.   The Commission of Natural Resources will be transferred, intact, to the new DNRE but will be renamed the Natural Resources Commission (NRC).  Commission members will continue to serve through the end of their existing terms, and vacancies will continue to be filled by the governor with the advice and consent of the Senate. The NRC will retain existing authority to regulate the taking of game, establish periods of validity for hunting and fishing licenses, and regulate the feeding of deer and elk, without review by or appeal to, the DNRE director. The NRC will also assume functions currently performed by the Citizens Committee for Michigan State Parks and the Water Resources Conservation Advisory Council to further reduce administrative overhead. However, the governor, not the commission, will appoint the department director. 

Trails Advisory Council.  A seven-member Trails Advisory Council will be established under the executive order, and the functions of the existing Snowmobile Advisory Council and Michigan Trailways Advisory Council, which are being abolished under the order, will be given to this council.  The Michigan Trails Advisory Council will focus on the creation, development, operation, and maintenance of snowmobile, equestrian, hiking, skiing, and off-road vehicle trails.

Environmental Science Board.  The director of the DNRE will be authorized to convene a seven-member Environmental Science Review Board (ESRB) to advise the DNRE on scientific issues affecting the protection and management of Michigans environment and natural resources.  The ESRB will be comprised of individuals with expertise in biological sciences, chemistry, ecological science, geology, risk assessment, and other related disciplines.  The Site Review Board process under Part 111 of the NREPA is being eliminated for greater efficiency in environmental proceedings.

Agriculture.  The executive order also impacts the Michigan Department of Agriculture by giving the governor responsibility for appointing the Agriculture director, a responsibility that is currently held by the Agriculture Commission.  The Office of Racing Commissioner will be transferred to the Michigan Gaming Control Board and the Racing Commissioners position will be abolished.  The executive director of the control board will assume the commissioners duties.  Several boards and commissions within the Department of Agriculture are also being abolished. 

The Governor is appointing Bruce Rasher to serve as transition manager to implement the order and begin building the new department with our help.  Bruce has a degree in fisheries and wildlife management from Michigan State University and worked for many years at Consumers Energy, where he was actively engaged in issues related to brownfield redevelopment, energy efficiency and environmental management.  He served as mayor of the city of Marshall from 1995 to 1998.   

In closing, we thank you for your great work and your commitment to protecting and managing Michigans natural resources and environment.  And we ask you to join with us as we work to create the new Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Environment.

Sincerely,

Becky Humphries, DirectorSteven Chester, Director
Department of Natural Resources Department of Environmental Quality

[Ron Scott]

Colorado

Aspens Dying Across the West

Wall Street Journal Article By Stephanie Simon published October 14th

Thousands of Aspens growing across the West are dying and scientists are befuddled as to specific causes of tree mortality. The Aspen growth cycle Is disrupted with not only mature trees but new shoots dying and leaving Aspen groves brown.

Link to article: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB125547187504583409.html

[Ron Scott]

Michigan

Governor Granholm has signed the MDA budget for FY2010, with line item vetoes to several line items, including Michigan Conservation Districts.   This budget is a severe blow to Michigan Conservation Districts and the Department of Agriculture as a whole.

This will have great impact on the free forestry services to Michigan's nonindustrial landowners.

[Ron Scott]

Vermont

Middlebury College and SUNY College of Environment and Forestry Study Willow Bio-fuel

Boston Times Article Published October 19th by Dave Gram

Willow shrubs may be the solution to Middlebury's heating fuel concerns. The plants with a three year growing cycle can be harvested in winter when the ground is frozen near rivers and other environmentally sensitive areas. Willow biomass would be cost competitive with wood pellets and Vermont has the land available to support the fuel demand. The first crop will be harvested from the Middlebury willow patch in the winter of 2010 or 2011.

SAF Policy Update

[stonebroke]

This is stupid. We have millions of acres of forest in the Northeast that needs to be thinned. And the powers that be want to waste money on willow trees and Switchgrass.

Stonebroke

[Ron Scott]

Florida

Hybrids of Invasive Australian Tree Found in Florida

According to the Agricultural Research Service, hybrids of the invasive Australian plant species Casuarina exist in Florida. These fast-growing, pine-like trees were historically planted widely as ornamentals and along boulevards in south Florida, and are currently being proposed as a windbreak in citrus groves.

The trees are frequently the tallest in the canopy and can be very damaging during storms and hurricanes. Casuarina has also become an environmental problem, invading and altering natural habitats including Everglades National Park, home to many threatened and endangered species.

For more information, visit the Agricultural Research Service website.

The E-Forester

[Ron Scott]

Michigan

FRONTIER RENEWABLE RESOURCES - MASCOMA CORPORATION (cellulosic ethanol facility planned for the EUP)

From Kelly Smith . . .

We are pleased to announce the launch of our new web site for Frontier Renewable Resources [owned by Mascoma Corporation].  This site will provide all the latest information about our project.  You may view the site at
www.Frontier-Renewable.com .

Bill Cook, Extension Forester

[Ron Scott]

California

Housing Economy Woes Cripple Timber Industries across the West

L.A. Times Article Published October 28th by Alana Semuels

The continued housing recession in the United States dealt a devastating blow to timber industries in California and across the West. The shuttering of the last pulp mill near Samoa, California will remove $11 million dollars from the local economy and leaves no the community no options to remedy the loss of investment. The struggles of the mills in Samoa are symptomatic of the decline of timber industry across the West during the current economic slump. The Western Wood Products Association said that softwood lumber production is at the lowest level in the last fifty years and prices continue to fall. A local California timber industry employee said that officials continually warned of pending mill closures to occur within the next five years and finally they are faced with the reality of the loss of livelihood. Link to

Article: http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-logging28-2009oct28,0,3380214.story

SAF Poicy Update