June 2, 2008

Dear Senator,

As the Senate debates the Lieberman Warner Climate Security Act of 2008 (S. 3036) , the National Association of State Foresters (NASF) wishes to share some thoughts specifically related to Adaptation Programs for Natural Resources (Title VI, Subtitle D and Title XII, Subtitles C and D). We strongly applaud the bill's recognition for the need to provide resources that address the adaptation of ecosystems to climate change. However, we urge the managers of the bill to expand the adaptation funding focus to more fully support and recognize forested ecosystems and the role that state foresters play in managing this critical resource.

NASF is a non-profit organization that represents the directors of all 50 state forestry agencies, the eight U.S. territories (American Samoa, the Federated States of Micronesia, Guam, the Northern Marianas Islands, Palau, Puerto Rico, Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the U.S. Virgin Islands), and the District of Columbia. Our members have a unique statutory and public trust responsibility for all of the nation's forests - public and private. We strive to maximize the public benefits derived from all forest land.

NASF supports the importance of addressing the adaptation of fish and wildlife resources to climate change impacts. Yet we believe the bill's targeted adaptation focus on fish and wildlife may be a lost opportunity to address the broader ecosystem services and renewable source of products society expects from our natural resources. We recommend a more expansive recognition of not only forest ecosystems, but also acknowledgement of range and grassland resources. This will best address the impacts of climate change on the resources that provide habitat, clean air and water, and renewable products.

The subtitles for Adaptation Funds and Programs are critical for the conservation of our nation's forests. Not only should these subtitles be expanded to more explicitly recognize and support the adaptation of forest resources, but they should also cover all forested lands and resources in the country. As currently written, only publicly owned National Forests and Grasslands are eligible. Climate change impacts all forested resources, not just the small fraction federally owned. We recommend additional reference to the state and private forestry authorities under the Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act (16 U.S.C. 2101 note). A greater and more proportional percentage of adaptation funds should be directed towards U.S. Forest Service (USFS) activities and authorities that support both the National Forest System and State & Private Forestry, and to state forestry agencies that are responsible for managing and protecting all of the nation's forests. Notably, authorization requiring states to prepare Statewide Assessments and Strategies for forest resources pursuant to the recently passed Farm Bill should provide important guidance for the role of Cooperative Forestry Assistance Programs in adaptation strategies.

Lastly, we want to affirm and thank you for recognition of the importance of Emergency Firefighting Funds (Title XII, Subtitle B). These authorities for the USFS and the Bureau of Land Management are extremely important as climate change makes the work of protecting public safety, property and resources from wildfire even more challenging.

We hope our letter sparks some interest in making sure that this rare and important opportunity afforded in S.2191 to prepare and adapt our nation's natural resources to climate change addresses the challenges ahead in a holistic and comprehensive fashion.

Sincerely,

Kirk Rowdabaugh, President

National Association of State Foresters

CC:

Members of the U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works

Members of the U.S. House Committee on Natural Resources