Congress in Context

Smokey Bear spared from budget axe

smccreary — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 12:48:31 -0500

A proposed slash to the USDA Forest Service's conservation-education budget was proposed under House Majority Leader Eric Cantor's YouCut program, in which the public can vote each week in favor of various budget-trimming plans.

USDA bark beetle report explores future actions, will shape new bill

smccreary — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 12:36:41 -0500

A new report commissioned by Senator Mark Udall (D-CO) looks at the conditions that led to the West's bark-beetle outbreak and management responses to it, as well as possible future actions, including Udall's bill to mitigate the damage.

Forest Resources Association joins lawsuit opposing Labor wage rule

smccreary — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 09:14:39 -0400

The Forest Resources Association announced that it had joined with other members of the H-2B Workforce Coalition in the decision to bring suit against the U.S. Department of Labor, opposing DOL's implementation of its new guestworker wage rule, scheduled to go into effect on October 1, 2011. FRA argues the rule puts an excessive burden on landowners who will be unable to absorb the costs that wage-increase mandates of up to 163% will place on reforestation.

NASF and partners advance 2012 Farm Bill recommendations to Ag committee

smccreary — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 10:22:11 -0400

NASF and the members of the Forests in the Farm Bill Coalition recently sent a letter to the leadership of the Senate Agriculture Committee, recommending priorities for the 2012 Farm Bill.

Ag Committee farm bill audit focuses on conservation programs

smccreary — Fri, 08 Jul 2011 10:43:39 -0400

In one of a series of Agriculture Committee audits to discuss 2012 Farm Bill issues, House lawmakers yesterday voiced bipartisan support for agricultural conservation programs but also warned of the difficult budget challenges that lie ahead and asked Agriculture Department officials whether conservation programs can be made more efficient.

NASF and partners say budget balancing should not come at expense of natural resources

smccreary — Tue, 21 Jun 2011 12:10:31 -0400

NASF joined nearly 50 other wildlife and conservation organzations in a letter to the Vice President and Congressional leaders on the fate in current budget negotiations of federal programs that sustain our nation's natural resources.

Senate committee considers climate change link to wildfires

smccreary — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 16:34:23 -0400

During a recent Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources hearing on wildfire management policy, USDA Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwel cited research from within the agency linking fires and climate change. "Throughout the country, we're seeing longer fire seasons, and we're seeing snowpacks that, on average, are disappearing a little earlier every spring," as well as devastating droughts, said Tidwell.

Farm bill biofuels, conservation programs take hit in approps bill

smccreary — Wed, 25 May 2011 16:02:45 -0400

The fiscal 2012 appropriations bill approved yesterday by the House Agriculture, Rural Development, FDA and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee would completely eliminate the Biomass Crop Assistance Program (BCAP) and would also cut mandatory farm bill conservation spending by more than $1 billion. The bill would slash the Department of Agriculture budget by $2.6 billion relative to fiscal 2011 and $5 billion relative to what the Obama administration requested.

NASF weighs in on Forest Service funding levels before House subcommittee

smccreary — Fri, 15 Apr 2011 10:06:57 -0400

NASF Vice President John Shannon (AR) was in Washington this week to testify before the House appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies. Shannon discussed the association's recommendations for FY2012, which center on appropriations for the USDA Forest Service State and Private Forestry programs.

NASF reaches out to congressional leaders in support of critical Forest Service programs

smccreary — Thu, 07 Apr 2011 11:05:31 -0400

NASF, alongside a diversity of forestry, environmental and conservation groups, recently sent letters to House and Senate appropriators demonstrating broad support for shared FY12 program funding recommendations for Urban and Community Forestry, Forest Inventory and Analysis, Forest Health, State Fire Assistance and the FLAME account within the USDA Forest Service.