NASF joined more than 40 organizations that represent business owners, forest landowners, sportsmen and women, outdoor recreation enthusiasts and conservationists to urge the Senate to vote down Amendment #2313 to the Farm Bill. Amendment #2313, introduced by Sen. Mike Lee, would eliminate the Forest Legacy Program (FLP), which has successfully grown by 21 percent over the past two years. FLP is a voluntary conservation program that emphasizes federal-state and public-private partnerships to achieve the common goals of protecting and maintaining forest jobs, recreational access, wildlife habitat and clean water.
Update: During consideration of the 2012 Farm Bill on Wednesday, June 20, the U.S. Senate voted down Amendment #2313 that would repeal the Forest Legacy Program. The Senate passed its version of the Farm Bill on Thursday, June 21. A table including forestry-related provisions in the bill can be found on the NASF website.