Reforestation of Timberlands Board Meeting Minutes -
DOF Office, Sandston, VA
May 18, 2004
Vice Chairman Russell Holland called the meeting to order at 10:10 a.m. Board members present were Hunter Richardson, William Pepper and Thomas Jefferson, III. Department of Forestry personnel in attendance were Deputy State Forester John Carroll and RT Program Coordinator Phil Grimm.
Minutes of the March 23, 2004 Board meeting were reviewed and approved without amendment.
Projected 2004-05 RT Program Budget
Mr. Grimm outlined the projected budget for 2004-05 as follows.
| Description | Amount |
|---|---|
| Appropriation | $1,439,675 |
| Less Predicted Shortfall | 287,659 |
| Less Salaries | 255,305 |
| Less Tree Improvement Program | 176,000 |
| Plus Budget Amendment | 125,000 |
| Budget Remainder | $ 845,711 |
Mr. Grimm stated the budget amendment for 2005-06 is set at $250,000. He stated the State Forester has committed General Fund appropriations for the next two years to cost-share incentives.
Mr. Holland inquired of the Board members if any had contacted their legislators regarding support for a budget amendment. All indicated they had made contacts. Mr. Grimm relayed to the Board the State Forester's appreciation for solid support from the Agri-Business Council, the Farm Bureau, the Virginia Forest Products Association, and the Virginia Forestry Association; and is aware of the Board's efforts to contact legislators.
Mr. Grimm stated that the flat rate cost-share strategy in use this year has resulted in nearly all of the $667,000 incentives budget being spent. He stated that, as of May 6, a total of 739 projects covering 25,564 acres have been signed up for an estimated incentives due of $584,749. This leaves a balance as of early May of $82,251 uncommitted.
Mr. Holland stated his concern that the current strategy of cost-sharing planting only may be too conservative to utilize the funds projected for 2004-05. He suggested committing a portion of next year's budget for herbicide application to deaden hardwood competition in pine plantations. He stated that cost-sharing this practice in addition to tree planting would ensure use of all the monies available. Discussion followed as to the amount to set aside for the herbicide application. There was general agreement that an amount equal to the budget amendment plus an additional amount roughly equivalent to the funds remaining uncommitted in the current year would be an appropriate amount.
Mr. Holland suggested including pre-commercial thinning in addition to the herbicide application for cost sharing. Additional discussion ensued, and the consensus was to focus on herbicide applications only.
Mr. Holland inquired whether a flat rate should be continued or a percent of cost be used as in past years. Mr. Grimm replied that the flat rate is easier to administer than the calculations required to determine a percent of cost. He added that $22 would be roughly 35% of the cost per acre to apply herbicides under the DOF contract in 2004; 35% being the rate prior to establishing the flat rate.
Mr. Pepper motioned to recommend setting aside $200,000 for the herbicide release applications at $22 flat rate per acre in 2004-05. Mr. Richardson seconded the motion, which was unanimously approved.
Mr. Jefferson motioned to continue the current flat cost-share payments for planting in the 2004-05 year which would be $22 per acre for loblolly, short-leaf, pine, Virginia, and pitch pine; $29 per acre for white pine; and $40 per acre for long-leaf pine. Mr. Pepper seconded the motion, which was unanimously approved.
Species Diversity
Mr. Carroll encouraged the Board to consider the Department's Strategic Plan goal of increasing species diversity in the natural resource community. He stated it would be appropriate for the Board to consider priority strategies for long-leaf pine and short-leaf pine in the RT Program.
Mr. Carroll suggested that the Department present a Forest Inventory Analysis perspective on the future of the forest resource to the Board at a future meeting. It was decided that the September 2004 meeting would be appropriate, made by Mr. John Scrivani, Director of Research and FIA for the Department.
Fusiform Problem
Mr. Grimm stated that, in an email to all DOF employees, Mr. Carroll had mentioned set aside of RT funds as needed in 2004-05 for cost-sharing of replanting tracts heavily impacted by the fusiform rust. Mr. Carroll added that landowners are now receiving letters from the Department discussing the possibility of fusiform rust in DOF seedlings planted in 2004; that DOF is committed to monitoring these plantations; and staying in touch with landowners on this topic.
It was agreed that the strategy recommended during this meeting for setting aside a portion of next year's funds for herbicide applications with the balance for planting would enable the regions to manage their RT allocations to include a portion for fusiform replantings if necessary.
The Board's Forest Products Tax Initiative
The Board reviewed a first draft of a letter to the forest products industry
initiated at the
March 23 Board meeting. Topics include introduction of RT Board members; a
statement of the dependence of the RT Program on the Forest Products Tax; a
fact sheet of Forest Products Tax requirements; and a statement of Board intent
to establish a task force comprised of Industry, Department of Forestry, Department
of Taxation, and Department of Agriculture Wood Export personnel to examine
tax form simplification and recommend forest products tax modification reflecting
up-to-date commercial transactions.
In further discussion it was determined the letter should be sent out prior to June 30, 2004, the end of the current Board's term of office. Mr. Carroll added that the letter should go out under a cover letter from the State Forester.
The Department of Forestry agreed to pay printing and postage costs of the mailing. Mr. Grimm will follow through on the Board's recommendation.
The Board discussed membership on the task force development committee established
at the March 23 Board meeting. Originally, the membership was identified as
Ms. Duff,
Mr. Richardson, and Mr. Jefferson. Mr. Richardson asked that he be replaced
on this committee as he is an out-going member as of July 1. He suggested Mr.
Zimmer as a replacement for himself.
The Board agreed to ask Ms. Duff to be committee chairperson; and that Mr. Grimm serve as liaison to coordinate committee activities.
Future Meetings
Mr. Richardson, attending his last meeting of a six-year term with the RT Board, recommended the RT Board and the Board of Forestry meet jointly once a year to discuss mutual concerns and generate support for Department of Forestry programs.
There being no further business, the Board meeting was adjourned at 12:35 p.m.
John Carroll ~ Deputy State Forester
Last modified: Monday, 19-Oct-2009 14:57:42 EDT
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