The Board of Forestry met on Thursday, January 15, 2009, at Virginia Forestry Association Office in Richmond, Virginia.
Convene Meeting
The formal Board meeting began at 1:00 p.m. on January 15, 2009. Those present were: C. Harrell Turner, Anitra B. Webster, David Blount, R. Easton Loving, Marvin P. Wilson, III, David Wm. Smith, Judy Guse-Noritake, Frank Brooks, Hillary Little, Floyd Miles, Lee Showalter, 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. No changes were noted.
Approval of Minutes
Chairman Turner asked if there were any corrections/deletions to the October 23, 2008 minutes. Mr. Loving 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. Bud Watson, Virginia Forest Watch; Mr. Randy Bush, Virginia Forest Products Association; Mr. Roger Sherman, MeadWestvaco; Mr. Kurt Christensen, Tree Farmer; Mr. Ron Jenkins, Mr. John Carroll, and Mr. Brad Williams with the Department of Forestry.
Hearing of Citizens and Delegations
Mr. Watson expressed Virginia Forest Watch’s support of SB1295.
Mr. Christensen presented a statement to the Board expressing his opinion that the Department of Forestry needed to focus on its core services and restrain from involvement in local zoning and property rights issues. He extended an invitation to Mr. Showalter to meet with him and other landowners to get their view point/opinion on this matter.
Information Items
None
State Forester's Report
$30 Million Bond Fund
The $30 million bond fund to be administered by the Secretary of Natural Resources includes three top forestry projects: 100 percent funding for Big Woods; Dragon Run moving forward; Moore’s Creek property work in progress to acquire access, for a total of 13,000-14,000 acres being added to the Department’s state forest system. At the end of November 2008, the Commonwealth has acquired 285,000 acres. This is on target to achieve the Governor’s goal.
Legislative Agenda
Mr. Garrison discussed three Department of Forestry bills: 1) HB2566 - Clarifies that proceeds derived from properties used for nonstate forest purposes acquired or managed by the Department of Forestry are not subject to distribution by the Department to those localities in which the properties are located. Currently, the proceeds derived from all lands acquired by the State Forester are distributed to those localities in which the lands are located based on a specific formula, 2) SB1473 – Authorizes the State Forester to require a person to obtain a permit to fish, ride a mountain bike, or ride a horse on lands under the control of the Department of Forestry. Currently, the Department requires a permit to hunt or trap on such lands, and 3) SB1295 - Authorizes the State Forester to enter and inspect lands where silvicultural activities are occurring in order to determine whether the activity is causing or likely to cause pollution. This right of entry bill was continued from last year’s session and has been redrafted for a change in the Code this year. A procedural change will follow successful passage of this bill in that Department employees will attempt to notify the landowner before going on their property to inspect lands where silvicultural activities are occurring.
The Board received a 2009 Legislative Tracker report showing the current status for all bills the Department will follow during this legislative session. A complete list of bills the Department is tracking can be found at the following link: http://www.dof.virginia.gov/info/2009-General-Assembly-tracking-sheet.shtml
At the time of the Board meeting, no cuts were taken from Reforestation of Timberlands (RT) funds. Mr. Garrison did report that the General Assembly could affect the current funding for RT.
Budget
Mr. Garrison reported the Department has been holding 30 funded positions over the last 12-18 months. 23 of these positions were permanently lost as part of the agency’s budget reductions. The Department will start to look at requesting approval to start refilling some of the positions across the state.
He also reported that the merger of Regions has given the Department opportunities to realign some work, spread it out, and reduce areas of overload. The merger of Regions is meeting the needs of the agency, but there are still some areas that are stretched at times. The agency plans to focus on some of the newer programs and not continue with some programs (prescribe burning, planting crew supervision, aerial spray, etc.).
Another cost saving strategy is to look at 9 month positions in lieu of full-time positions for fire coverage in some counties. This should save on funding.
Mr. Little applauded Mr. Garrison for running the Department as a business and keeping the Board and employees informed of what is taking place. Other Board members echoed Mr. Little’s remarks.
Action Items
None
Committee Liaison Report
Ms. Webster reported the Virginia Urban Forest Council held their annual planning meeting the weekend prior to the Board meeting.
Mr. Loving announced the Virginia Forestry Association’s annual meeting is scheduled for April 24-26 in Norfolk. He also announced a bio-fuels workshop is scheduled for March at the Omni Hotel in Charlottesville.
Mr. Garrison reported that the first national ecosystem services conference will be held in March at the Omni Hotel in downtown Charlottesville.
Other Business
None
Scheduling of Next Meetings
The next meeting of the Board will be May 29, 2009. Mr. Garrison asked Board members to send him suggestions of forestry issues/subjects they would like to see and locations within the state they would like to go. The location and additional information will be sent once it is determined.
The following meeting will be October 23, 2009. The time and place to be determined.
Adjournment:
There being no further business, Chairman Turner accepted a motion that the meeting be adjourned. The meeting was officially adjourned at 2:55 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Donna Hoy
Recording Secretary
c: Board Members
The Honorable Robert S. Bloxom, Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry
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. Andrew Smith, Virginia Farm Bureau
Mr. Jason Woodfin, Virginia Forest Watch
Mr. Bud Watson, Virginia Forest Watch
Mr. Charles F. Finley, Jr.
NOTE: Tapes of Board meetings are on file in the Office of the State Forester.
Last modified: Monday, 19-Oct-2009 15:03:18 EDT
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