Board of Forestry
Minutes
April 28, 2008
The Board of Forestry met on Monday, April 28, 2008, at the Virginia Department of Forestry Central Office in Charlottesville.
Convene Meeting
The formal Board meeting began at 1:00 p.m. on April 28, 2008. Those present were: C. Harrell Turner, Anitra B. Webster, David Blount, R. Easton Loving, Marvin P. Wilson, III, E. Lee Showalter, David Wm. Smith, Frank Brooks, Floyd Miles, and Carl 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. Mr. Garrison requested to add Ordinance Task Force Update, Fire Update, and Economic Impact Study to the State Forester’s Report. The agenda was changed to reflect those additions.
Approval of Minutes
Chairman Turner asked if there were any corrections/deletions to the January 10, 2008 minutes. Mr. Showalter 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 Secretary Bloxom, Agriculture and Forestry; Mr. William Dickenson, Deputy Secretary for Agriculture and Forestry; Mr. Andrew Smith, Virginia Farm Bureau; Mr. Paul Howe, Virginia Forestry Association; Mr. Jim Mooney, Virginia Loggers Association; Mr. Roger Sherman, Mead-Westvaco; Mr. Jason Woodfin, Virginia Forest Watch; Mr. Ron Jenkins, Mr. John Carroll, Mr. Brad Williams, Mr. John Campbell, Ms. Mitzi Lee; Mr. Todd Groh, and Mr. John Miller with the Department of Forestry.
Hearing of Citizens and Delegations
None.
Information Items
None.
State Forester's Report
Fire Update
Mr. Garrison reported that the fire numbers for Spring 2008 have exceeded the 45 year record. In 1987, 20,400 acres were burned, and so far for 2008, 25,500 acres have burned. The recent spring rains have relieved the threat of additional acreage burned. He did, however, remind the Board that our Fall fire season is still to come and depending on the conditions at that time, there could be significant changes to the number of fires and acreage for 2008. Debris burning and arson contribute to the largest number of acres burned.
The February 10 fires burned 16,000 acres and the number of fires was 360. The major cause of the fires was downed power lines and debris burning. There were 750 firefighters used statewide in the suppression efforts. Fortunately, there were no reportable injuries from any of these fires. However, there was an incident prior to the Board meeting on a fire in Buckingham County where a Forest Technician with the Department of Forestry was seriously injured with 2nd and 3rd degree burns to his hands, arms, thighs, neck and face. The tractor was over come by the fire. The employee will require skin graft surgery on his hands. At the time of the meeting, Mr. Garrison reported the employee was doing well and in good spirits and was still hospitalized.
Economic Impact Study
The Weldon Cooper Center has completed a “draft” Executive Summary of the Economic Impact Study. The report is not available for distribution at this time, but the Board was given copies for their review/comment and was asked to submit those to Mr. Garrison or Ms. Hoy for submission to the Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry’s office. The “draft” Executive Summary has combined figures for Agriculture and Forestry, as well as individuals figures for each agency.
LEED
The Governor struck Green Globes in the budget bill and the House overrode the Governor’s amendment and put the language back. The Department of Forestry worked as a technical advisor and provided information/recommendations to the Governor’s office during the 2008 legislative session.
LEED only applies to state buildings. Ms. Webster stated there was no funding available at this time for landowners who were interested in “green” initiatives.
Forest Ordinance Task Force
Ms. Webster represents the forest landowner and Board of Forestry interest on this task force. The objective of the task force is to ensure the right of a landowner to observe good silvicultural practices. The study is on-going and any suggestions/comments from Board members should be forwarded to Ms. Webster so she can distribute at future task force meetings.
Division Update
Mr. Garrison asked staff members from the various divisions at the Central Office to give the Board an update on programs, projects, events, accomplishments, etc. that had occurred or were schedule to occur since the last update presented to the Board. Each staff person took approximately 5 minutes to give the Board a review and then answered any questions they had.
The Board was given an update from Public Information/Education, Resource Management, Resource Protection, General Services, Resource Information, and Human Resources.
Budget
Mr. Garrison distributed a matrix of budget amendments and proposed budget amendments for FY 08, 09 and 10, giving the Board an overview of what the Department’s budget will encompass over the next three years.
He reported that fuel costs have doubled over the past 2 years and that the Department of Planning and Budget have stated there will be no adjustments in the general fund for the increase in fuel costs.
Action Items
None
Committee Liaison Report
Update on Internal Training Program
Dr. Smith updated the Board on the progress of his work on a Certified Forester program for the Department. Dr. Smith stated the initial plan is to use what the Department already has in place and incorporate additional education/training requirements needed for certification. Some Department employees are already certified and there would be an additional 60-70 employees that would be eligible to participate in such a program. He stated it will take approximately 6 months to develop the draft proposal for distribution to the Board. At that time, Board members will have the opportunity to review/make comments on the proposal.
Other Business
None
Scheduling of Next Meetings
The Board discussed rescheduling the meeting at the Eastern Shore for a future date. The April meeting was previously scheduled for the Eastern Shore, but due to budget reductions, it was decided to hold the April meeting at the Department of Forestry Central Office in Charlottesville. After some discussion by the Board, Chairman Turner stated that due to future budget concerns, the July meeting would remain at the Department of Forestry Central Office in Charlottesville. The Board expressed an interest in holding a future meeting on the Eastern Shore and was appreciative of the offer and work by Board member Mr. Little and Department staff to hold this meeting on the Shore. Therefore, it was decided that the Board would hold a meeting on the Eastern Shore in April 2009 if agreeable with Mr. Little and funding is available.
The next meeting of the Board will be July 31, 2008. The Board members discussed the possibility of meeting at Montpelier. If Montpelier is not available, the Board will meet at the Department of Forestry Central Office in Charlottesville.
The fall meeting will be October 23-24 at the Cumberland State Forest.
As in previous years, the Board will plan to hold a meeting in Richmond in conjunction with the General Assembly session.
In addition to a visit to the Eastern Shore, the Board expressed an interest in holding a future meeting at the Matthews State Forest.
Details of future meetings will be sent out at a later date.
Adjournment
There being no further business, Chairman Turner accepted a motion that the meeting be adjourned. The meeting was officially adjourned at 4:18 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 15:02:59 EDT
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