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Reports From The States

Started by Ron Scott, December 18, 2001, 05:24:06 PM

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Ron Scott

Michigan

RE:  USDA Encourages Landowners to Sign-Up for Conservation Planning

EAST LANSING, Feb. 10, 2016 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture is calling on Michigan farmers and private forest owners to sign up for conservation planning assistance by 30 April. Conservation planning helps farmers and private forest owners identify resource concerns on their land and identify different methods to address them.

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service provides conservation planning services to farmers and private forest owners at no cost. NRCS also provides financial assistance for conservation activities on private land that help reduce soil erosion, improve water and air quality, and improve wildlife habitat. Some practices eligible for NRCS financial assistance include windbreaks, livestock waste storage, nutrient and pest management plans, grassed waterways, cover crops, and timber stand improvement.

During conservation planning, an NRCS conservationist and the landowner or operator, walk the land and identify resource concerns. A conservation plan is developed prioritizing resource concerns and how the landowner can alleviate them. When the conservation plan is completed, the landowner may apply for USDA financial assistance to implement conservation practices that address the resource concerns identified in the plan. Participants are not required to address the resource concerns identified, enrolling in USDA conservation programs is completely voluntary.

Applying for USDA conservation financial assistance is a competitive process. Completing a conservation plan does not guarantee that a landowner will receive financial assistance. However, developing a conservation plan is the first required step for enrolling in USDA conservation programs.

To learn more about USDA conservation programs and technical assistance contact your local USDA office or go the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service website at www.mi.nrcs.usda.gov.

~Ron

Ron Scott

Wisconsin

Urban Forestry Charge Costing Some Madison Neighborhoods Thousands

(Madison, WI – May 5) – A special charge levied on all Madison properties meant to fund the city's urban forestry program as a whole and to allow the city to recover costs for emerald ash borer mitigation is inadvertently costing some neighborhood associations thousands of dollars per year.

The E-Forester
~Ron

Ron Scott

Vermont

Vermont Law Targets Timber Theft as Own Class of Crime

        (Plainfield, VT - June 13) - A new timber theft law covers trees of any size and value,
        imposing a year in jail and/or a $20,000 fine for a first offense; two years and a
        $50,000 fine for subsequent offenses.
http://www.pressherald.com/2016/06/12/vermont-law-targets-timber-theft-as-own-class-of-crime/

The E-Forester
~Ron

Carson-saws

Fantastic thread Mr. Scott.   thanks for ALL the information.  I am wishing I had time to do them all (in Michigan) but.....What about the Tamarack here in Mich?  Don't see to many near me and am not aware of just how much there is here in Mich.  A Woman by me had a very large one struck by lightening.  I went over and salvaged a bunch of limbs to make so rustic furniture and talked the Woman into having the standing stump ( 12') chainsaw carved. 
Let the Forest be salvation long before it needs to be

Ron Scott

Oregon

Oregon's Timber Harvest Dropped in 2015
        (Salem, OR - July 26) - A slowdown in log exports to Asia, the end of a trade deal
        between the United States and Canada, and a busy fire season all contributed to a
        roughly 8 percent decline in Oregon's timber harvest last year.

http://registerguard.com/rg/news/local/34611523-75/oregons-timber-harvest-drops-in-2015.html.csp

The E-Forester
~Ron

Ron Scott

Wisconsin

Caterpillar's Prentice Facility Will Close in Sept.

        (Prentice, WI - August 3) - Caterpillar announced that it will close its Prentice facility,
        which has manufactured forestry equipment since 1945, on September 30 as part of
        a global restructuring.

http://wsau.com/news/articles/2016/aug/03/caterpillar-to-close-prentice-facility-in-september/

The E-Forester
~Ron

Ron Scott

Washington

(Colville, WA - August 22) - The Stevens County Cattlemen are advertising with a billboard on
        Highway 395 south of Colville which carries the message "Public Lands: Log it, graze it or
        watch it burn."
http://www.capitalpress.com/Washington/20160822/rancher-billboards-promote-grazing-logging-on-public-lands

The E-Forester
~Ron

Ron Scott

Minnesota

Timber Talks: Forestry Business Leaders Meet with State DNR Commissioner in
        Bemidji

        (Bemidji, MN - August 30) - Forest industry representatives from across the northern
        Minnesota region gathered at the Mayflower Building in Bemidji to discuss issues with
        the Department of Natural Resources earlier this week.

http://www.bemidjipioneer.com/news/local/4105091-timber-talks-forestry-business-leaders-meet-state-dnr-commissioner-bemidji

The E-Forester
~Ron

Ron Scott

Washington

Men Who Started Washington Wildfire Ordered to Pay State $2.3 Million
(Kelso, WA - December 6)
Three men responsible for setting fire to 110 acres of forest in southwestern Washington have been ordered to pay the state more than $2.3 million in firefighting suppression costs.

http://q13fox.com/2016/12/06/men-who-started-washington-wildfire-ordered-to-pay-state-2-3-million/
~Ron

Ron Scott

Maine

Poliquin Bill Would Allow Teens to Work in Forest Industry

       (Bangor, ME - March 10) - The "Future Logging Careers Act" would allow 16- and
        17-year-olds to work in mechanized logging operations under parental supervision,
        something which the executive director of the Professional Logging Contractors of Maine says should be available to families engaged in the forest products industry.

http://mainepublic.org/post/poliquin-bill-would-allow-teens-work-forest-industry#stream/0

~Ron

Ron Scott

Minnesota

Plan to Log Forest Near Ely Pits Hikers, Skiers vs. Timber Industry

(Ely, MN - August 2) - A state plan to harvest a section of old-growth forest near Ely has pitted hikers and skiers against the Department of Natural Resources, which describes the plan as routine forest management that would improve the long-term vitality of the woods.
http://m.startribune.com/to-cut-or-not-to-cut-old-growth-pines-tests-minnesota-forest-management/437940543/

The E-Forester
~Ron

Ron Scott

Minnesota

(Minneapolis, MN - August 13) - Eastern larch beetles, tiny burrowing bugs native to Minnesota, are exploding in number across the state's northern forests and have killed or damaged about a third of the state's tamarack trees.

http://www.startribune.com/as-climate-warms-an-exploding-larch-beetle-population-is-transforming-minnesota-s-forests/440055923/

The E-Forester
~Ron

Ron Scott

Michigan

(Houghton, MI - August 14) - In Michigan, where sugar maples are a multi-million-dollar industry, non-native earthworms are having a deadly impact on trees by drying out the soil near the surface, where 90 percent of a maple tree's roots are located.

https://phys.org/news/2017-08-invasive-earthworms-root-sugar-maple.html

The E-Forester
~Ron

Ron Scott

New York

RE:  FIRST COMPLETE CROSS-LAMINATED TIMBER BUIDLING IN NEW YORK

Both the walls and roof of the new 21,000 square foot building were constructed with CLT panels.  Some nice pictures.

http://www.prweb.com/releases/ribbon_cutting_clt_nys/first_clt_newenergyworks/prweb14782895.htm
~Ron

Ron Scott

Wisconsin

Walker: State Forestry Headquarters Moving to Rhinelander

(Rhinelander, WI - October 25) - Governor Scott Walker announced that Rhinelander has been selected as the new location for the State Division of Forestry office, which is expected to provide a bonus of additional high-paying jobs for the city.
http://www.rivernewsonline.com/main.asp?SectionID=6&SubSectionID=47&ArticleID=79140

The E-Forester
~Ron

Ron Scott

Michigan

RE:  NRCS FUNDING FOR OAK WILT TREATMENT 

Happy New Year everyone!  Andy Henriksen distributed this EQIP news and some of you have seen it already. 

I wanted to make sure that you were aware that NRCS is now offering financial assistance, through EQIP, to treat areas infected with oak wilt. This may be something that you want to consider adding to plans, including potentially as an addition to/revision of existing plans if a new occurrence of OW is detected. Please note that, as indicated with the second limitation below, EQIP isn't always going to be a suitable mechanism for treatment funding, but it is now an option.

Please familiarize yourself with the Tree/Shrub Pruning (660) Conservation Practice Standard (attached), particularly the "General Criteria Applicable to All Purposes" (required design elements) and the Plans and Specifications section (required documentation) and Operation and Maintenance section (required follow-up).  Although it is largely written with typical above-ground pruning in mind, root pruning is also covered. 

The following is an excerpt from an NRCS guidance document developed to help staff with selecting practices and payment scenarios.  It may help you understand how this practice is intended to be used with EQIP.

Please note that the first cutoff for EQIP funding this year is 19 January.  So, if you know of forestowners who have oak wilt or other resource concerns to address, encourage them to visit their local NRCS field office ASAP!

Andy Henriksen, CF
State Forester
USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service
3001 Coolidge Rd., Suite 250
East Lansing, MI  48823-6321
Ph: 517-324-5234
Fax: 855-701-4363


•   FY2018 Payment Rates
Scenario Number   Practice Name   Component/Scenario   Unit Type   Unit Cost
14   Tree/Shrub Pruning   Root Pruning for Oak Wilt Control   LnFt   $2.84
14 HU   Tree/Shrub Pruning   HU-Root Pruning for Oak Wilt Control   LnFt   $3.40
Limitations:
•   This scenario is specifically for root pruning for oak wilt control. EQIP funding is not provided for branch/limb pruning, or for purposes other than oak wilt control.
•   Do not use EQIP for oak wilt control, if program funding availability precludes timely treatment of infected area.
Notes:
•   Payment unit is the linear feet of trench/plow line required to contain the oak wilt infestation.
•   Treatment includes preparation of the trench/plow line with a dozer and chainsaw, and herbicide application within treatment area, as needed.
•   Consult with a Conservation District Forester, DNR Forester, or other qualified individual to determine treatment needs.
Maintenance:
•   Practice must be maintained for a lifespan of 10 years after installation.

~Ron

Ron Scott

Michigan 

WMUK 102.1, Jan. 19, 2018

State Hopes to Squash Hemlock Pest Before it Spreads

A bug that kills hemlock trees has invaded West Michigan. Hemlock woolly adelgid has been found in four counties: Allegan, Ottawa, Muskegon, and Oceana. It's a tiny bug that makes small, cotton-like sacs at the base of a hemlock tree's needles. This month the state awarded more than $800,000 in grants to help invasive species managers survey, map, and control Hemlock woolly adelgid. The bug was spotted in Michigan in 2006, but it's been plaguing the east coast of the U.S. for decades. 

http://wmuk.org/post/state-hopes-squash-hemlock-pest-it-spreads

The E-Forester
~Ron

Ron Scott

Maine

How the Last U.S. Ice Cream Stick Manufacturer, Here in Maine, Stays Competitive

Maine Public, Feb. 5, 2018
When the doctor tells you to open up and say, "Ahhh," pretty much anywhere in the world, there's a chance that the wooden stick pressing on your tongue was made in Maine. And the wooden stick in that Creamsicle? Probably also from Maine. Hardwood Products Co. in Guilford has something of a split personality. The company is divided into two operations, one right across the road from the other. 

http://mainepublic.org/post/how-last-us-ice-cream-stick-manufacturer-here-maine-stays-competitive#stream/0

The E-Forester
~Ron

Ron Scott

Ikea Buys Massive Alabama Forest
   
Alabama

Woodworking Network, Feb. 6, 2018

In an effort to source timber more ethically, furniture giant Ikea has purchased a massive 25,000-acre forest in the middle of Alabama. This is the Swedish company's first forest purchase in the United States. "As a responsible forest owner, we are interested in identifying and applying sustainable management methods that will allow us to preserve and even increase the quality of the forest over time," said Ikea's head of financial asset management Krister Mattsson. 

https://www.woodworkingnetwork.com/news/woodworking-industry-news/ikea-buys-massive-alabama-forest

The E-Forester

~Ron

SwampDonkey

Hopefully, they will follow the ethics of their Swedish brethren. The Swedes practice good forestry.  :)
"No amount of belief makes something a fact." James Randi

1 Thessalonians 5:21

2020 Polaris Ranger 570 to forward firewood, Husqvarna 555 XT Pro, Stihl FS560 clearing saw and continuously thinning my ground, on the side. Grow them trees. (((o)))

Ron Scott

Michigan

RE:  REGISTERED FORESTER PROGRAM BILL SIGNED INTO LAW  

The RF Program was signed into law 26 April.


House bills 5000 & 5001.

Next step is a meeting to begin implement of the program.

Stay tuned.

Enrolled House Bill


~Ron

Ron Scott

Maine

Conservation Group Acquires Nearly 18,000 Acres of Forest In Coastal Maine

Maine Public, May 2, 2018
A Virginia-based group has acquired three forested properties totaling nearly 17,900 acres in Hancock and Washington counties. The Conservation Fund acquired the properties from H.C. Haynes, Inc., a forestry company based in the Penobscot County town of Winn. The properties — the purchase prices of which were not disclosed — will be conveyed to other nonprofit conservation organizations after those groups raise money to purchase them.
 

Conservation Group Acquires Nearly 18,000 Acres Of Forest In Coastal Maine | Maine Public

The Digital Forester
~Ron

Ron Scott

Montana

$500,000 Timber Equipment Sabotaged Near Montana Forest Project

KGVO-FM, Aug. 21, 2018
There are currently 21 court injunctions against forest restoration projects in Montana. One is near West Yellowstone, where Ed Regan of RY Timber out of Livingston had brought his equipment to begin logging, when the next day an injunction stopped the work, but not before someone had vandalized a half-million dollar feller buncher.
 

0,000 Timber Equipment Sabotaged near Montana Forest Project

Digital Forester
~Ron

Ron Scott


Michigan

Initial Inventory of State Forest Roads Complete (MI)
The Associated Press via Petoskey News-Review, Jan. 7, 2019
An initial inventory of state forest roads maintained by Michigan's Natural Resources department is complete. The state says it spent two years mapping and reviewing the conditions of the network of roads. Computer mapping technology was used to consolidate previously mapped roads into a single, comprehensive database. The work has led to a compilation of interactive maps that show where off-road vehicle use is allowed on state forest roads. Forest Resources Division chief Deb Begalle says "forests roads are a resource to help people get out and enjoy Michigan's public forests."   

~Ron

Ron Scott

Maine

Report: Shortage of Loggers and Truckers Hinders Growth of $8.5 Billion Forest Products Industry (ME)

Mainebiz, March 15, 2019
An employment availability and wage analysis prepared by the Maine Center for Business and Economic Research at the University of Southern Maine found wages for logging equipment operators and log truckers are lower than those for comparable jobs in competing industries in the state. Combined with a tight labor market and looming retirement for large numbers of loggers, that finding highlights a weak link in Maine's forest economy, according to the trade group that commissioned the study.  

Report: Shortage of loggers and truckers hinders growth of .5B forest products industry | Mainebiz.biz

The Digital Forester
~Ron

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