The United States Department of Agriculture Under Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment Robert Bonnie announced a multi-year partnership between the United States Forest Service (USFS) and the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) called the Chief’s Joint Landscape Restoration Partnership. This partnership will invest $30 million in 13 projects in 12 states across the country [read more]
The House Natural Resources Committee held a hearing Tuesday, January 14, to examine the Administration’s determination that the automatic spending cuts under the Budget Control Act – commonly known as sequestration – applied to Secure Rural Schools (SRS) funds that had already been sent out to states. The USDA Forest Service (USFS) ultimately requested repayment [read more]
Wildfires often cause the costliest property damages, causing billions in damage without currently being treated like other large-scale natural disasters. Oregon’s 2013 wildfire season was the most severe in more than 50 years, burning 103,000 acres and costing the state $122 million. To cover the costs of large fires, agencies often have to draw money [read more]
Last month, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has appointed six members to serve on the Softwood Lumber Board. Each member will serve a three-year term. New appointments include manufacturers Charles W. Roady, Columbia Falls, Mont., and Danny White, Brewton, Ala., representing the U.S. West and South regions, respectively; and importer Don Kayne, BC, Canada, who will [read more]
Alongside other leaders of the Fire Suppression Funding Solutions Partner Caucus, NASF sent letters to House and Senate appropriators recognizing their leadership demonstrated through including in the short-term continuing resolution a provision reimbursing the non-fire funds transferred to pay for fire suppression at the USDA Forest Service and Department of the Interior in fiscal year [read more]
Please join the National Forest Stewardship Program Webinar entitled “Evaluation of USDA Forest Service, Forest Stewardship Program” on October 8th at 2 -3:30 p.m. Eastern. Presented by Brett Butler, a group of researchers from the USDA Forest Service, University of Massachusetts Amherst, and University of Minnesota evaluated the USDA Forest Service, Forest Stewardship Program (FSP) [read more]
The USDA Forest Service announced that Tony Tooke will become the Associate Deputy Chief in National Forest System, effective August 25, and Rob Mangold will be the Station Director, Pacific Northwest Research Station, effective August 11. Tony has worked for the U.S. Forest Service since age 18 and currently serves as the Director of Ecosystem [read more]
This week both USDA Deputy Secretary nominee Krysta Harden and USDA Undersecretary for Natural Resources and Environment nominee Robert Bonnie were confirmed by the Senate. NASF congratulates Ms. Harden and Mr. Bonnie on their appointments and is excited to work with both on important forestry issues.
This week, more than a dozen Members of the House and Senate sent a letter to Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel and Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack requesting an update on plans to transfer surplus military aircraft to the Forest Service to fight wildfires. The Fiscal Year 2013 National Defense Authorization Act gives the Forest [read more]
Earlier this week, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack recently appointed eight new members to the Forest Resource Coordinating Committee. The Committee provides advice on private forestry and USDA’s programs that assist landowners in managing their forests to protect, conserve and enhance the values they produce. New Mexico State Forester Anthony Delfin and Vermont State Forester Steve [read more]
