Comments

On March 10, 2020, the National Association of State Foresters submitted public comments to National Environmental Policy Act Council on Environmental Quality regarding its proposed changes to the  National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) published in the January 10, 2020 Federal Register. NASF welcomes CEQ’s effort to update and streamline NEPA review requirements for federal agencies. [read more]

On January 13, 2020, the National Association of State Foresters submitted comments on the USDA’s proposed rule changes to the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) put forth in response to amendments approved in the 2018 Farm Bill. In its comments, NASF noted its appreciation for increases in CSP authorized funding through 2023. We also appreciate that [read more]

In official comments  to the Environmental Protection Agency today, the National Association of State Foresters made recommendations on proposed changes to the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFA). Among the association's comments was a critique of the RFS's treatment of biomass: "EPA has done little to spur growth in forest biomass industries through such RFS policy signals. [read more]

Today the National Association of State Foresters submitted officials comments  to the House Select Committee on the Climate Crisis (HSCCC) regarding  forest climate solutions. "NASF ascribes to the view that benefitting from the economic value of forests does not threaten environmental and social values as much as it is key to supporting the delivery of [read more]

On April 15, 2019, the National Association of State Foresters submitted comments on the Environmental Protection Agency's revised definition of waters of the United States, commonly referred to as WOTUS. In its comments, NASF made clear that one size does not fit all when it comes to water quality policy and regulation. Each state's approach [read more]

In comments submitted to the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service last week, NASF detailed its concerns regarding the federal deregulation of the emerald ash borer (EAB) and its recommendations for addressing those concerns. In cooperation with federal agencies, state forestry agencies have been at the forefront of EAB monitoring, early detection, delimiting, and outreach since [read more]

NASF has submitted official comments regarding three proposed rule changes under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Informing the association's comments is language from its 2015 position statement entitled "Improving the Effectiveness of the Endangered Species Act." Click the link below to access these comments.

By Greg Pilchak  The National Association of State Foresters submitted a letter commenting on the Senate Committee on Agriculture’s bill, the Emergency Wildfire and Forest Management Act of 2016. NASF commends the Committee’s leadership and initiative in trying to find a solution to the wildfire funding challenges faced by the USDA Forest Service and the [read more]

The National Association of State Foresters (NASF) submitted comments this week in response to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) revisions to the proposed rule for those who want to file petitions for listing under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) (81 Fed. Reg. 23448). Learn more about the revisions at https://federalregister.gov/a/2016-09200.  In July 2015, NASF submitted [read more]

Today the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Army Corps of Engineers released a final rule defining waters of the United States (WOTUS), which sets the bounds of federal jurisdiction under the Clean Water Act. In November, NASF provided comment to the agencies on the proposed rule and Arkansas State Forester Joe Fox testified before the [read more]