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Welcome to the Virginia Department Of Forestry

Board of Forestry
Minutes
April 18, 2006

The Board of Forestry met on April 18, 2006 at Neikirk Hall, Virginia Military Institute in Lexington, Virginia.

Convene Meeting:

The formal Board meeting began at 1:00 p.m. on April 18, 2006. Those present were: Mary T. Bates, McChesney Goodall, III, Judy Guse-Noritake, R. Easton Loving, Michael G. McGlothlin, E. Lee Showalter, C. Harrell Turner, Anitra B. Webster, William T. Carden and Alpheus L. White, 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. Chairman Turner requested that “Board Objectives 2006” be added as an agenda item. The agenda was adopted with that change.

Recognition of Guests and Visitors:

Chairman Turner welcomed Ms. Jenny West, Executive Director, The Wildlife Foundation of Virginia; Mr. Andrew Smith, Virginia Farm Bureau; Mr. Lee Stevens, Vice Chair, Foundation for Virginia’s Natural Resources; Mr. James Garner, Retired State Forester and Member of the Foundation for Virginia’s Natural Resources; Ms. Tammi Belinsky, WildWood; Mr. James Bowen, Department of Forestry.

Approval of Minutes:

Chairman Turner asked if there were any corrections/deletions to the December 5, 2005 minutes. Mr. Showalter moved that the minutes be accepted as written. Ms. Webster seconded the motion. All were in favor.

Hearing of Citizens and Delegations:

Ms. Jenny West gave a presentation to the Board on the role and objectives of the Wildlife Foundation of Virginia. The Wildlife Foundation of Virginia works with public and private partners to identify public access; they receive donations of land; they make land purchases; they assist Department of Game and Inland Fisheries with funding initiatives for land conservation; they hold educational events to foster long-term stewardship and sustainability. Their overall goal is to provide a place for individuals to hunt, fish, bird watch, etc. and enjoy the outdoors.

The Wildlife Foundation of Virginia is currently working on the following tracts: Hardware River, Fluvanna; Saxis, Eastern Shore; Fulfillment Farms, Albemarle County; Game Farm Marsh, New Kent County; Fray Property, Madison County.

Mr. Garrison stated the goals/objectives of this group fits well with the Department’s Strategic Plan goals and partnerships will be developed when opportunities arise in the future.

Mr. Lee Stevens gave an overview of the newly created Natural Resources Foundation, which was formed by the 2005 General Assembly and is a non-regulatory board. This Foundation has a connection with the Secretary of Natural Resources and the Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry. The Foundation has decided to align themselves with the Department of Forestry.

The Natural Resources Foundation is currently working on developing a Strategic Plan. Their mission statement is to facilitate natural resource philanthropy in Virginia. The Foundation will seek funding for organizations who work toward the good of the environment within the Commonwealth. They are organized according to the 13 river basins. The Foundation will focus on education, pollution prevention, and stream monitoring throughout Virginia.

Mr. Garrison stated the purpose of this Foundation fits in well with the Department’s goals to conserve the forest land base and to protect, promote and enhance watersheds.

Mr. Stevens stated the Foundation would like for the Department’s website to include a link for the Natural Resources Foundation. Mr. Garrison stated he would see that gets done.

Information Items:

None

State Forester's Report:

Fire:

Mr. Garrison reported the Department had a very active spring fire season. Over the past weekend, there were several fires that started from lightning strikes in the southern part of the state. The Bull Mountain fire in Patrick County is still active and the estimated acreage is 2,500. The area is very rocky and steep. There are 250 folks currently working on the fire (National Guard, hot shot crews from Oregon, etc.). Over 100 homes have been protected and 3 homes, 6 structures, 3 vehicles, a boat, camper, ATV, etc. have been destroyed by the fire. The Department will provide seed to replant the burned area to help with erosion problems that will occur.

Mr. Garrison shared a map of the United States that showed the potential fire predictions for the remainder of April, which showed above normal activity for Virginia.

Legislation:

Mr. Garrison reported there is no budget to date for 2006-07. However, he stated the Department’s line items looked good. Line items included an increase in RT funds of $233,000 on top of the current $750,000 budgeted. There is also a proposal to increase by another $233,000, which is unsure at this time. If that additional $233,000 comes through, the Department will adjust its cost-share to include the additional funds. The Department will also replace 13 dozers if this funding is approved.

Only three pieces of legislation had a big impact on the Department of Forestry: HB14, SB238, and HB260. The Department watched these bills very closely throughout the session. SB238 was tabled by Senator Ticer. There was a lot of vocal opposition for this bill. Senator Ticer has indicated that she plans to work on this bill during the summer and submit in the 2007 General Assembly session.

SMT Retreat:

The Department’s Strategic Management Team, which usually meets monthly, held a three day retreat at the New Kent Conference Center. The focus of the meeting was to look at strategic planning and the future direction of the Department. Items discussed at that meeting were the future of the conservation education program; nursery 5-year business plan; proposed physical fitness policy; management of State Forest lands; tree improvement; organization structure.

The Strategic Management Team’s discussed an organizational structure that would meet the needs of the Commonwealth for the next 10-15 years. Mr. Garrison stated that there will be a structural change made when Mr. Bowen retires in July. There is a need for a position to handle strategic planning/policy development/legislation/budget and a second Assistant State Forester to handle the administration side of the agency. Mr. Garrison anticipates more structural changes in the future.

New Kent Conference Center:

Mr. Garrison announced the New Kent Conference Center is now open. An Open House will be held on Friday, April 21 for state agencies in the Richmond area to visit/tour the facility.

BMP Cost-Share Program:

The Department is proud to announce a new BMP cost-share program, which is the first of its kind in the country. This cost-share program is designed to reimburse loggers with their water quality costs (temporary bridge, culvert, gravel, seed, etc.). Prior to harvesting, the logger will submit a pre-harvest plan and a request to be eligible for reimbursement up to 50 percent of their costs or a maximum of $4,000. Funding for this program comes from the Department of Conservation and Recreation Water Quality Improvement Fund. Eligibility for the funding is based on satisfactory completion of BMPs. Approval will be made by the Department’s Water Quality Engineers.

The Department has sent mailings to loggers, consultants, etc. giving them information on this new cost-share program. A news release was also sent to various associations (loggers, VFA, VFPA, etc.). Ms. Belinsky suggested the Department put an on-line application form on the website for loggers to use.

Mr. Carden recommended holding meetings/workshops for landowners, loggers, industry, etc. where the Department would explain programs to them. Mr. Garrison was supportive of the idea and stated Department of Forestry staff would be available to help with these meetings/ workshops.

Land Conservation:

Mr. Turner stated there has been a lot of land that has changed hands over the years. He asked the Board to keep their eyes open and be proactive and to see if there is something the Board can do to put land back into land conservation.

Action Items:

Board Objectives/Issues for 2006:

Chairman Turner requested that the State Forester send the latest information regarding this issue to all Board members.

Recommendations from SJR367 and status of each:

1. Examine Land Protection Agreements as a model to conserve forest and other land. The Department of Forestry requests $150,000 to conduct this examination involving model development including economic analysis, legal issues, and related geographic information systems work.

Mr. Garrison stated the agency had requested funds through a budget amendment, but the request did not make it out of the Governor’s office.

2. Increase and maintain funding through a dedicated source for the Virginia Land Conservation Foundation (VLCF) at the rate of $50 million per annum and establish separate “farm and forestry” categories within the VLCF funding scheme and ensure independent equitable funding amounts.

The Board will continue to make sure this stays in front of the General Assembly. They will continue to work with Senator Ticer this year to get legislation introduced in the 2007 General Assembly session.

3. Support the continuing strong role of the Virginia Conservation Tax Credit in increasing Virginia conservation efforts.

The Board will continue to push for this in the 2007 General Assembly. They do not want to lose any funding this year.

4. In collaboration with local government and other stakeholders, amend the Right to Practice Forestry Act (10.1-1126.1) to more effectively contribute to non-industrial private forest landowners’ management. The Department of Forestry, in conjunction with the forest stakeholder community, will lead the collaborative effort to recommend legislative changes to the Act.

Chairman Turner stated that the Department of Forestry was given this recommendation because it involved meetings with stakeholders and local governments.

5. Examine the efficacy of adopting a statewide Use-Value Taxation Rate for Agriculture, Forestry and Open Space lands. It is recommended that the General Assembly allocate $50,000 for this statewide land use study. Participation in this one year study should include the Secretariats of Agriculture and Forestry and Natural Resources, along with the Virginia Association of Counties and Virginia Municipal League.

Mr. Showalter stated he felt the Board needed some direction from the State Forester on program direction and needs of the agency, etc. to preserve forests and agriculture land in Virginia as a start. Mr. Garrison stated he could provide information to the Board.

Mr. McGlothlin agrees with the recommendation to preserve forest and agriculture land in Virginia and thinks State officials should be encouraged to offer incentives (tax or otherwise) for developers to not remove forests and agricultural land unnecessarily. He stated the Board should write a letter to the Governor requesting a study on incentives for developers to not remove any more forests and agricultural land than necessary.

Mr. McGlothlin stated he felt BMPs should be mandatory on the west side of the Blue Ridge.

Ms. Webster felt Planning Commissions, Secretary of Natural Resources, and the Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry should pool their interests and push for the Commonwealth to develop creative land uses.

Mr. Garrison will look at staff resources and let the Board know of availability this year to do some of these suggestions, i.e. another study.

Chairman Turner will work with Mr. Garrison to review these recommendations and develop a presentation for Secretary Bloxom on these recommendations and suggestions/ideas on what is needed. Mr. Showalter recommended that Mr. Garrison include items that are generated in his staff meetings and not just issues from the SJR367 study report.

Committee Liaison Report:

None

Other Business:

None

Scheduling of Next Meeting:

Mr. Garrison stated that all members’ terms will expire June 30, 2006. All members can be reappointed except Ms. Bates. Mr. Garrison, as well as Associations (VFA, Farm Bureau, etc.), will make recommendations to the Secretary of the Commonwealth for appointments.

The next meeting of the Board is scheduled for August 1, 2006 in the Board Room of the Department of Forestry Central Office starting at 10:00 a.m.

Mr. Garrison will send out dates for additional meetings in 2006.

Adjournment:

There being no further business, Chairman Turner made a motion that the meeting be adjourned. The meeting was officially adjourned at 3:12 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. Maxine Kenny, WMMT News
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: Friday, 07-Mar-2008 19:13:27 UTC