NASF is pleased that the Farm Bill holds true to many priorities of the state foresters, giving them the tools they need to sustain and maintain the health of our forests. We applaud Agriculture Committee leaders and the House for:
· Codifying the longstanding role of state-based BMPS in managing stormwater runoff associated with silviculture activities
· Reauthorizing Forest Action Plans
· Clarifying the authority of the USDA Forest Service to continue its crucial role in mobilizing wildland fire resources to respond to incidents across the country
· Providing permanent authority for stewardship contracting
· Broadening the good neighbor authority, which allows state foresters to work directly with our federal partner agencies to assist in managing forest lands
“We greatly appreciate the work put into the report by the Conference Committee and the House. It provides important tools and legal certainty that are both vitally important to improving and maintaining the health of the nation’s forests,” said National Association of State Foresters (NASF) Executive Director Jay Farrell. “These programs are key to responding to the threats and issues identified in every state’s Forest Action Plan.”