Board of Forestry
Minutes
November 13, 2007
The Board of Forestry met on November 13, 2007, at the Department of Forestry, New Kent Conference Center in Providence Forge.
Convene Meeting:
The formal Board meeting began at 1:00 p.m. on November 13, 2007. Those present were: C. Harrell Turner, Anitra B. Webster, David Blount, R. Easton Loving, Marvin P. Wilson, III, E. Lee Showalter, David Wm. Smith, Hillary F. Little, Frank Brooks, Floyd H. Miles, Sr. and Carl E. Garrison, III and Donna Hoy with the Department of Forestry.
Call to Order:
Chairman Turner called the meeting to order.
Ms. Hoy called roll.
Changes and Adoption of Agenda:
Chairman Turner asked if there were any changes that needed to be made to the agenda. Hearing none, the agenda remained as written.
Approval of Minutes:
Chairman Turner asked if there were any corrections/deletions to the August 20, 2007 minutes. Mr. Blount made the motion for the minutes to be approved as written. Dr. Smith seconded the motion. All were in favor.
Recognition of Guests and Visitors:
Chairman Turner welcomed Mr. Paul Howe, Virginia Forestry Association; Mr. Andrew Smith, Virginia Farm Bureau, Mr. Bud Watson, Model Forest Policy Program, and Mr. Ron Jenkins, Mr. John Carroll, and Mr. Brad Williams with the Department of Forestry.
Hearing of Citizens and Delegations:
None
Information Items:
Feedback on Land Conservation Meetings
Board members reported on their perspective of the recent land conversion meetings held throughout the state. Mr. Wilson, Mr. Blount, Dr. Smith, and Mr. Showalter felt the meetings were very educational, provided very useful information, were well attended, and provided some good discussions. Mr. Wilson reported that the Governor’s goal of conserving 400,000 acres was mentioned at the meeting in Warrenton. There were no problems or complaints at any of the meetings they attended. One recommendation from Dr. Smith for future meetings would be to shorten the presentations. Mr. Garrison stated that the Department had not planned for these type presentations to be an annual event.
Mr. Poirot expressed his appreciation to those Board members that attended the meetings. He reported there was an average of 30-32 individuals at each one. The majority of the attendees at each session were local government officials. He, too, felt the presentations were well received and useful to the attendees. A total of 340 participants were in attendance for all sessions.
Mr. Turner questioned if the Department received specific requests to do additional presentations, would they be able to handle the request. Mr. Poirot stated the Department would be willing to make the presentation and he would handle requests on an individual basis as they arise.
Impact of Housing Slump on Virginia’s Forest Products Economy
Mr. Turner reported that home building had dropped 12 percent and new home sales had dropped 22 percent. He opened the floor up to discussion on how this has/will affect the forest industry in Virginia.
Mr. Little commented that there is no one in his area to cut timber or process it, which is of concern to him.
Mr. Blount questioned if the Department had been in contact with the Economic Development agency to see what information they have obtained from recent studies to see what they have discovered on future business opportunities, especially pertaining to the forest products industry.
It was recommended that a member of the Governor’s Energy Task Force be invited to attend the next Board meeting to brief the Board on plans for the future and start discussions on concerns from Board of Forestry members.
Mr. Garrison will make contact with Mr. Stephen Walz, Chairman of Governor Kaine's Energy Policy Advisory Council, and extend an invitation for him or a member of that committee to attend the January meeting in Richmond. Ms. Webster also suggested that someone from Weyerhaeuser be invited to join in on the discussion.
State Forester's Report
Fire Situation Update
Mr. Garrison gave an update on the fire situation and the statewide burn ban. He reported that the Governor’s office was receiving daily calls requesting exemptions to the burn ban; however, the law does not allow for any exemptions. He reported that 52 acres had burned the day prior to the Board meeting. As of the morning of the Board meeting, 1,382 fires had burned for 10,149 acres since January 1. Since the start of the burning ban, the Department had responded to 118 fires burning 858 acres. With the warm season, slow leaf fall, spotty showers, and no moisture in the ground, Mr. Garrison stated the Department was fearful of lifting the burning ban. He stated that after a review of the predicted rainfall on the 15th, the Department would review the situation and make a decision on lifting the ban.
A fire prevention team was stationed at Breaks Interstate State Park. This team was funded by West Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina, Virginia, and the U. S. Forest Service. The U. S. Forest Service organized a fire response team as well. The Department also had a helicopter bucket contract for standby duty out of Roanoke.
The Department has not sent any employees to assist with the fire suppression efforts out West.
At the time of the Board meeting, the Department was the only state with a burn ban still in effect. Other states had lifted their ban.
The Board questioned the loss of trees due to the drought conditions. Dr. Smith stated that typically drought induced tree death comes 1 to 2 years after the drought and the death of the tree is usually caused by another cause, i.e. gypsy moth, southern pine beetle, etc. and is not a result of the drought by itself.
Calendar of Events
Mr. Garrison mentioned the following dates of interest for the Board:
- November 19 – pre-filing deadline for new bills.
- December 10 – Governor’s Community Cabinet Day
- December 11 – Department of Conservation and Recreation is hosting the Governor’s Forum on Land Conservation in South Boston (10:30 – 3:00). He suggested Board members sign up at www.dcr.virginia.gov if they planned to attend.
- December 17 – Governor Kaine announces his budget plan for the state.
- January 9 – General Assembly begins
- January 10 – Virginia Agri-Business Banquet
- January 10 – Board of Forestry Meeting, Virginia Forestry Association Office
- January 11 – Legislative Breakfast
- February 7 – Crossover
A copy of the new member-elects for the House and Senate were given to each Board member. Mr. Garrison encouraged the Board to take the time to meet new legislators and let them know of the Board’s concerns for natural resources and issues facing the forest products industry.
Budget
Mr. Garrison discussed the upcoming budget cuts with the Board. Each state agency was asked to prepare for a budget reduction between 5 and 7 percent. The Department was asked to come up with a budget reduction of 5 percent, for a total of $853,184. All items in the budget can be used toward the 5 percent except the Master Equipment Lease. He also stated that if money is not taken from the rainy day fund, it is likely the Department will have to reduce its budget by another 5 percent. Mr. Garrison reported it will be difficult for the Department to come up with another 5 percent cut.
Areas where the 5 percent will come from are:
- Energy reduction (mileage, fuel, propane, electricity, etc.)
- Increase tractor rotation schedule from 20 to 25 years rotation, which will result in elimination of one tractor/year (savings of $250,000)
- Retirements (12.8% eligible for full retirement now; 25% over next 5 years for a savings of $93,000/year).
- Eliminate summer intern program.
- Increase teleconferencing, telecommuting, ride-sharing, scrutinize out-of-state travel, etc.
- Reduce training by 20%.
- Reduce goods and services, reduce number of computers, helicopter bucket contracts (3 down to 2), printing, housekeeping, some vehicle maintenance (extend oil changes frequency), etc.
- Eliminate $100,000 for consulting foresters for stewardship plans.
- Eliminate RT general fund matching.
The proposed reductions above have been approved by the Governor’s office and are available on the web for review by the public. Mr. Garrison stated that some of these reductions could be reinstated by the General Assembly. He also stated that the Department is currently looking at areas to cover an additional 5 percent cut if need be.
The Department carried over $700,000 from last year’s budget; however, a good portion of that money is already spent.
Mr. Garrison reported that Texas had closed its nurseries last month. Mr. Carroll stated the demand for seedlings is down, especially for hardwoods, and the upcoming year will be tough on the Department’s nurseries. The Department will have a loblolly crop this year of 33 million to sell.
Action Items
None
Committee Liaison Report
Dr. Smith updated the Board on the work done on an internal training program that will meet the goals and objectives of the Department of Forestry and serve as a tool for professional foresters who are interested in becoming a certified forester. He reported that there is a problem in trying to determine education requirements that would serve both needs. He and Mr. Blount will put together a series of subject matters (knowledge, skills, etc.) to help with the certification and submit to John Carroll for review/comment. A copy will also go to the Society of American Forester’s Certification Review Board for review/comment. Implementation of such program will involve additional costs to the agency as the recommendation will be to offer a financial incentive for those that complete the certification program.
Ms. Webster attended the Virginia Forestry Association Board meeting. She reported the Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service of the University of Virginia was in the process of developing a study on Forestry/Agriculture Economic Input for Virginia. Mr. Carroll explained that staff members from UVA have already met with Department staff and plan to meet with the Department of Agriculture. This study will be more narrowly defined than the previous study conducted by the Department. The study is estimated to be complete and distributed by March.
Ms. Webster also reported that the 2025 Task Force goal is for 25% of energy to come from renewable resources by the year 2025. Virginia Forestry Association endorsed this initiative with some recommendation.
Virginia Forestry Association is also working with Virginia Department of Transportation on a number of proposals to support logger issues with landowner permits/regulations.
Ms. Webster attended the COVES Conference at VMI on bio-fuels. She felt the conference was informative and very interesting.
Other Business
None
Scheduling of Next Meetings
The next Board of Forestry meeting is set for Thursday, January 10, 2008, 1:00 p.m., at the Virginia Forestry Association office in Richmond. Board members will attend the legislative breakfast and visit with legislators the following day.
Mr. Howe extended an invitation for the Board to hold a meeting in conjunction with the Virginia Forestry Association Annual Convention in April. The Board will consider meeting with the Virginia Forestry Association at a future date.
The Board decided to hold the following meetings in 2008:
- Eastern Shore in April - The Board will travel on April 27, take a tour on April 28th, and have its official Board meeting on the 29th.
- Department of Forestry Central Office – July 31.
- Cumberland State Forest - October 23-24.
Details for each meeting will be sent prior to the meeting.
Adjournment
There being no further business, Chairman Turner accepted a motion that the meeting be adjourned. The meeting was officially adjourned at 5:09 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Donna Hoy
Recording Secretary
c: Board Members
Dr. J. Michael Kelly, Dean, College of Natural Resources, Virginia Tech
Mr. J. R. Bush, Virginia Forest Products Association
Mr. Paul Howe, Virginia Forestry Association
Mr. David E. Anderton, Jr., Association of Consulting Foresters
Ms. Tammi Belinsky, WildWood
Mr. Steve Brooks, Virginia Forest Watch
Ms. Ann Duff, Smurfit-Stone Container Corporation
Mr. Jim Mooney, Virginia Loggers Association
Mr. Gerald Gray, Virginia Forest Watch
Ms. Donna Pugh-Johnson, Virginia Agribusiness Council
Ms. Martha Moore, Virginia Farm Bureau Federation
Mr. Roger Sherman, MeadWestvaco Corporation
Ms. Staci Henshaw, Auditor of Public Accounts
Mr. Charles F. Finley, Jr., Forest Landowners Association
Mr. Andrew Smith, Virginia Farm Bureau
NOTE: Tapes of Board meetings are on file in the Office of the State Forester.
Last modified: Monday, 19-Oct-2009 15:02:43 EDT
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