NASF was pleased to see that the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration and Related Agencies took important measures to restore reductions in funding contained in the President's budget proposal for fiscal year 2009. NASF particularly appreciates attention to those forestry related programs as recently authorized in the 2008 Farm Bill.

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)....NASF recommends 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.

NASF urges a broad definition of renewable biomass that fully recognizes that forests are a renewable resource and ready source of biomass feedstock. HR 5236 provides the changes necessary to ensure that forests aren't excluded from the cutting edge of renewable fuels, and equally important, will help to keep forest lands productive, thereby reducing the incentive to convert land to non-forest uses. Excluding forests from the renewable biomass definition will close off yet another avenue to keeping forests forested.

The Forests in the Farm Bill Coalition has come together specifically to increase opportunities for America’s private forest landowners to provide economic and environmental benefits. We applaud the steps which have been taken in the Forestry Title.