Issues
NASF and state water, wildlife, ag associations reach out to EPA on forest roads
Posted on Friday, February 3, 2012State Foresters recently joined with state clean water, wildlife and ag associations to send a letter to EPA administrator Lisa Jackson urging the agency to defend current regulations that support the established success of the state-based BMP approach to effectively manage nonpoint source pollution from forestry activities. In addition, 29 state attorneys general sent a letter to the Solicitor General as he decides if/how to weigh in with the Supreme Court regarding whether to hear the 9th Circuit decision related to permitting on forest roads.
Coalition Letter: EPA - Support for State Water Quality BMP Programs (February 2, 2012)
Posted on Thursday, February 2, 2012Ongoing state efforts to protect water quality through best management practice (BMP) programs have served to effectively manage nonpoint source pollution from forestry activities for over three decades. We write today to urge your office to defend current Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations that support this successful state-based BMP approach.
NASF Letter: Oberstar - NASF recommendations for clean water legislation (Dec. 7, 2009)
Posted on Wednesday, December 9, 2009As the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee prepares to consider legislation regarding reformulation of federal authorities under the Clean Water Act (CWA), the National Association of State Foresters would like to offer guidance and assistance on this matter.
NASF Letter: Boxer - Clean Water Restoration Act language (June 12, 2009)
Posted on Friday, June 12, 2009Thank you for the opportunity to review and comment on the most recent compromise language for the Clean Water Restoration Act (S. 787). The National Association of State Foresters (NASF) and our members share your commitment to protecting water quality and appreciate your efforts to clarify Federal Water Pollution Control Act (Clean Water Act) jurisdictional issues through the Clean Water Restoration Act (S.787) and the current compromise language.
NASF Resolution No. 2006-2: Silvicultural practices in the development of Total Maximum Daily Load standards
Posted on Wednesday, September 20, 2006Tens of thousands of stream segments are currently listed on state 303(d) lists of impaired waters. Each of these requires preparation of an allowable load necessary to achieve state water quality standards. The complexity involved in the development of the TMDLs can create scientific and legal issues that lead to confusion, prohibitive costs, and unrealistic deadlines.
NASF Resolution No. 2006-1: Silvicultural contributions to state nonpoint source water quality planning
Posted on Wednesday, September 20, 2006 Forested landscapes play a vital role in affecting the quality and quantity of our nation's water. The demand for wood fiber from approximately 500 million acres of non-federal forestland is increasing, creating an urgent need to address nonpoint source water pollution that may result from silviculture activities.
State Water Resources Programs for Silviculture (December 2004)
Posted on Thursday, December 2, 2004This is the fifth survey conducted by the Water Resources Committee of the National Association of State Foresters. To enable comparability with previous surveys, the textual analysis closely follows the format and sequence of the 2000 survey.
Each thematic block of questions proceeds with a brief background on the issue followed by a summary of responses. Following that, an analysis section leads into a series of recommendations for the WRC.
NASF Resolution No. 2004-7: The Connection Between Healthy Forests and Clean and Abundant Water
Posted on Wednesday, September 29, 2004The members of the National Association of State Foresters adopt the policy statement “The Connection Between Healthy Forests and Clean and Abundant Water.” The purpose of this policy statement is to provide context and stimulate dialogue that leads to development of strategies for achieving clean and abundant water from forested watersheds and reducing threats to water resources. The goal is to raise the awareness across the nation of the connection between healthy forested watersheds and clean and abundant water. Through this, we seek to gain public interest and support to manage and sustain forested watersheds to protect and enhance water resources for immediate and future gains.
NASF Letter: Emergency Watershed Protection Program (January 20, 2004)
Posted on Tuesday, January 20, 2004EWP is a highly effective program aimed at reducing the immediate threats on private lands following such natural disasters as wildfires and floods. It has been used many times to stabilize soil after intense wildfire removed soil-anchoring vegetation from steep slopes near critical watersheds. As important as the short term stabilization work is, it is equally important to follow up with a long-term solution, such as revegetating the area through tree planting.
MD State Forester Koehn on President's Healthy Forests Initiative (April 30, 2003)
Posted on Wednesday, April 30, 2003I am representing NASF in my role as Chairman of the Water Resources Committee. In recent years, the Water Resources Committee has taken the lead in development of proposed legislation to improve management of forested watersheds on non-industrial private lands. We believe the concepts of ‘healthy forests' and ‘healthy watersheds' are inextricably intertwined.
