News

Bipartisan bill supports priority forest landscape-scale restoration projects. WASHINGTON—This week, Senator Steve Daines (R-MT) and Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) introduced the Environmental and Economic Benefits Restoration Act of 2016 (S. 3310).  This bipartisan legislation would prioritize funding for the highest priority projects, resulting in measurable improvements to non-federal private forests and adjoining National Forest System lands. [read more]

The Guiding Principles for Best Practices for National Guard Resources are established to assist state forestry agencies and partners with training and deploying National Guard Resources. National Guard and Department of Defense resources support wildland firefighting in various ways. Lessons learned from after-action reviews following past wildland fire seasons have helped shape these recommendations.

The 2015-16 Annual Report illustrates NASF member accomplishments from the previous year and highlights the theme "My Tree—Our Forest."

Trees and forests form a major portion of the green infrastructure of this country. Actively and sustainably managed forests bolster local economies, improve human health, and bring communities closer together. Trees and forests filter our air and water, serve as places for recreation, provide habitat for wildlife, and produce wood products and job opportunities. Healthy forests do not happen by [read more]

Analysis of Forest Action Plan five-year review process and product identifies strong partnerships and effective strategic planning. WASHINGTON—The National Association of State Foresters (NASF) has released the 2016 State and Private Forestry Report which includes success stories and an overview of emerging issues and trends that were recently identified by the state forestry agencies. The report, available [read more]

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]

Science-based, best management practices offer effective water quality protections. WASHINGTON—The National Association of State Foresters applauds the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) decision this week that recognizes additional federal regulations under the Clean Water Act (CWA) are not needed to address stormwater discharges from forest roads. EPA was under a court order to provide a rationale [read more]

Science-based best management practices offer effective water quality protections. WASHINGTON—The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today issued its decision that no additional regulations are needed to address stormwater discharges from forest roads under the Clean Water Act (CWA). This determination recognizes the success and continual improvement of state best management practices programs, which are proven to be effective in [read more]

ARLINGTON, Va.—The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee is holding a hearing today to receive testimony on a discussion draft of legislation entitled the “Wildfire Budgeting, Response and Forest Management Act of 2016.” In a letter to the committee, a group of over 100 environmental, business, industry, and recreation groups expressed concern with the eroding [read more]

The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee will hold a hearing tomorrow about the Wildfire Budgeting, Response and Forest Management Act of 2016 discussion draft. California State Forester Ken Pimlott will testify on behalf of NASF; check back on the NASF blog tomorrow for the full testimony. In terms of fire transfers and borrowing, NASF appreciates the [read more]