NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF STATE FORESTERS
444 North Capitol Street, NW, Suite 540, Washington, DC 20001

March 25, 2004

The Honorable Henry Bonilla
Chairman
Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration and Related Agencies
2362 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515 - 6016

Dear Mr. Chairman:

The National Association of State Foresters (NASF) has been awarded the following federal funding awards since October 1, 2001.

1.        Federal Award Grant No. 04-DG-11132540-050 was awarded on January 15, 2004 in the amount of $251,000 to NASF from the State and Private Forestry Deputy Area of the USDA Forest Service.

2.        Federal Award Grant No. 04-CS-11083150-010 was awarded on February 3, 2004 in the amount of $15,000 to NASF from the State and Private Forestry Deputy Area of the USDA Forest Service.

3.        Federal Award Grant No. 03-DG-11130144-199 was awarded on July 18,, 2003 in the amount of $10,000 to NASF from the State and Private Forestry Deputy Area of the USDA Forest Service.

4.        Federal Award Grant No. 03-DG-11130144-160 was awarded on June 19, 2003 in the amount of $30,000 to NASF from the State and Private Forestry Deputy Area of the USDA Forest Service.

5.        Federal Award Grant No. 03-DG-11132540-006 was awarded on October 7, 2002 in the amount of $35,000 to NASF from the State and Private Forestry Deputy Area of the USDA Forest Service.

6.       Federal Award Grant No. 03-DG-11132540-42 was awarded on December 20, 2002 in the amount of $251,000 to NASF from the State and Private Forestry Deputy Area of the USDA Forest Service. Closed 12/31/03

7.        Federal Award Grant No. 03-DG-11132540-004 was awarded on October 5, 2002 in the amount of $240,000 to NASF from the State and Private Forestry Deputy Area of the USDA Forest Service.

8.        Federal Award Grant No. 03-DG-11132540-005 was awarded on October 4, 2002 in the amount of $70,000 to NASF from the State and Private Forestry Deputy Area of the USDA Forest Service.

9.        Federal Award Grant No. 03-DG-11132540-02 was awarded on April 16, 2003 in the amount of $20,000 to NASF from the State and Private Forestry Deputy Area of the USDA Forest Service.

10.     Federal Award Grant No. 03-DG-11132543-110 was awarded on April 21, 2003 in the amount of $107,000 to NASF from the State and Private Forestry Deputy Area of the USDA Forest Service.

11.     Federal Award Grant No.ODF-03-006was awarded on October 7, 2002 in the amount of $15,000 to NASF from the State and Private Forestry Deputy Area of the USDA Forest Service. Closed 12/31/03

12.     Federal Award Grant No. 02-DG11130143-032 was awarded on December 14, 2001 in the amount of $325,000 to NASF from the State and Private Forestry Deputy Area of the USDA Forest Service.

13.     Federal Award Grant No. 02-DG11130143-031 was awarded on December 17, 2001 in the amount of $325,000 to NASF from the State and Private Forestry Deputy Area of the USDA Forest Service.

14.     Federal Award Grant No.02-DG-11130143-030 was awarded on December 14, 2001 in the amount of $20,000 to NASF from the State and Private Forestry Deputy Area of the USDA Forest Service.

15.     Federal Award Grant No.00-DG-11130111-053 was awarded on February 2, 2000 in the amount of $135,000 to NASF from the State and Private Forestry Deputy Area of the USDA Forest Service.

16.     Federal Award Grant No. 02-CA-11244225-109 was awarded on June 21, 2002 in the amount of $15,000 to NASF from the State and Private Forestry Deputy Area of the USDA Forest Service. Closed1/2/02

17.     Federal Award Grant No.02-DG-11131325-015 was awarded on November 26, 2001 in the amount of $251,000 to NASF from the State and Private Forestry Deputy Area of the USDA Forest Service. Closed 3/17/03

18.     Federal Award Grant No.02-DG-11131327-010 was awarded on December 4, 2001 in the amount of $130,000 to NASF from the State and Private Forestry Deputy Area of the USDA Forest Service. Closed 9/30/02

19.     Federal Award Grant No.02-DG-11131325-014 was awarded on November 26, 2001 in the amount of $9,500 to NASF from the State and Private Forestry Deputy Area of the USDA Forest Service. Closed 9/23/02

Any further information required concerning the above federal awards may be directed to NASF at (202) 624-5415.

Sincerely,

/s/ Burnell C. Fischer

Burnell C. Fischer.
President
 

TESTIMONY ON FY 2005 APPROPRIATIONS

Burnell C. Fischer, President of the National Association of State Foresters

Before U.S. House Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies

INTRODUCTION

The National Association of State Foresters (NASF) is pleased to provide testimony on the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) budget request for Fiscal Year 2005.  Representing the directors of state forestry agencies from all fifty states, eight U.S. territories, and the District of Columbia, our testimony centers around those Deputy Areas most relevant to the long term forestry operations of our constituents:  Natural Resources and Environment and Research, Education, and Economics.  We believe the USDA budget for FY 2005, which offers opportunities for advancing the sustainable management of private forestland nationwide, can be strengthened through our recommendations.

Farm Bill Conservation Programs

NASF believes that the conservation programs enacted in the 2002 Farm Bill are integral for protecting water quality, erodible soils, wildlife habitat, and wetlands associated with agriculture operations.  Trees and forestry practices are often the best solution to many of conservation challenges arising from these operations.  We support the continued funding and development of the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), the Wildlife Habitat Improvement Program (WHIP), the Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP), and the Conservation Security Program (CSP).  These programs are important for landowners with both forest and agricultural land, as well as farmers who wish to plant trees for conservation purposes on their agricultural lands.  NASF recommends that the Subcommittee encourage the Secretary of Agriculture and the NRCS to consider the advantages of including and expanding forestry practices in EQIP.    

USDA Research and Extension Programs

NASF recommends funding the Cooperative Forestry Research (McIntire-Stennis) Program (CFR) at $25 million, the National Research Initiative Competitive Grants Program (NRI) at $180 million, and the Renewable Resources Extension Program (RREA) at $4.5 million.  The proposed increase in CFR will help the program continue to serve as the cornerstone of forest research in universities, providing knowledge central to sound management from environmental, economic, and social perspectives.  NASF supports the funding provided in the Administration’s FY05 budget for NRI and encourages more funds be targeted to forestry research.  A small increase in RREA funding will improve the program’s ability to address critical extension and stewardship needs.

CONCLUSION

The National Association of State Foresters seeks the Subcommittee’s support for a USDA FY 2005 budget that will make sure the conservation needs of private landowners – both forest and agriculture – are met.  Thank you for the opportunity to provide our testimony.