March, 2007

Fire Trainer Earns Governor’s Award for Work

Making sure that hundreds of firefighters are prepared for the challenges associated with suppressing wildland fire is no easy task – unless you are Larry Cochran. As the VDOF assistant director of resource protection, it’s Larry’s job to plan, coordinate and deliver the critical training these people need to safely and effectively fight wildland fires in the Commonwealth.

Gov. Tim Kaine took note of this fact and has honored Larry’s work by bestowing upon him the Governor’s Award for Excellence in Fire Service Training award. Governor Kaine commended Larry for his efforts to coordinate more than 75,000 hours of wildland and emergency response training for more than 4,000 Virginia firefighters during the past four years.

State Forester Carl Garrison said, “Larry’s recognition by the Governor is well deserved. He has a tremendous responsibility that he takes very seriously. By training the brave men and women who risk their lives fighting fire, Larry is effectively helping to protect the lives and property of thousands of people each year.”

DGIF to Sell State Forest Hunting, Trapping Permits on Web

The Virginia General Assembly passed a number of bills that affect the Virginia Department of Forestry during the session that ended Feb. 24th.

HB2339 authorizes the Va. Dept. of Game and Inland Fisheries to sell on its Web site (www.dgif.virginia.gov) permits for hunting and trapping in the State Forests. The bill passed both the House of Delegates and the Senate. It is one of the more than 1,500 bills sent to Gov. Tim Kaine for his signature into law. If the Governor signs the bill, it will take effect July 1, 2007.

Del. Watkins Abbitt Jr. was the bill’s sponsor.

Recreational Opportunities to Expand in Two State Forests

By law, when timber is harvested on any of Virginia’s State Forests, 25 percent of the proceeds from the sale is given to the county from which the timber was removed. The locality may use the funds as it deems necessary.

Under a bill awaiting Governor Kaine’s signature, this percentage will be adjusted to provide enhanced recreational opportunities on the Appomattox-Buckingham and the Cumberland state forests.

“If this bill becomes law,” said State Forester Carl Garrison, “instead of sending 25 percent of the timber harvest proceeds to the counties of Appomattox, Buckingham or Cumberland, we will send 12.5 percent and use the other 12.5 percent to increase recreational opportunities for county residents and all Virginians on these two large State Forests. We are grateful to the people of these counties and to Delegate Abbitt for their support of this measure.”