policy scoreboard
Editor's Note: To keep SAF members informed of state society policy activities, Policy Scoreboard is a regular feature in each issue in the Western Forester. The intent is to provide a brief explanation of the policy activity - you are encouraged to follow up with the listed contact person for detailed information.
idaho roadless rule
The U.S. Forest Service in December 2007 proposed adopting the Idaho Roadless Rule developed under the leadership of Gov. James Risch. As part of the rulemaking process the agency is soliciting public comments through early April. The proposal would partition the 9.3 million acres of national forest roadless areas within the state into five different categories, including 609,500 acres to general use. The proposal is more restrictive than designations made in current NFMA plans, but less so than the otherwise controlling 2001 roadless rule promulgated at President Clinton's direction. Several public hearings have been held, with most people speaking against the proposal. At this writing the SAF chapters in Idaho are deliberating the adoption of a draft position statement supporting the proposal. More information is available here. Contact: Jay O'Laughlin (), IESAF policy chair, 208.885.5776.
idaho ranch, farm and forest protection act
A proposal to offer $3 million per year in state income tax credits for qualifying conservation easements was introduced on February 6 in the Idaho legislature, with basically the same features as a bill introduced last year that did not receive a hearing. In December 2007 the Inland Empire and Intermountain Societies adopted a joint position statement addressing the potential for conservation easements to help keep working forests working, but did not offer specific support for or against this bill. The position statement can be accessed from the IESAF Policy page. Contact: Jay O'Laughlin (), IESAF policy chair, 208.885.5776.
forestry day at the idaho legislature
On January 10, the Inland Empire and Intermountain Societies joined forces to present the 11th annual forestry information session for policymakers during a Forestry Day at the Legislature luncheon. The SAF was one of six groups sponsoring the event. This year's turnout was the best ever, partly due to careful scheduling to avoid conflicts, and partly because the featured topic was something on the legislative agenda - the Idaho Ranch, Farm and Forest Protection Act mentioned above. Contact: Jay O'Laughlin (), IESAF policy chair, 208.885.5776.
osaf tracking legislative proposals on federal forest management
Earlier this year Rep. Peter DeFazio's (D-OR) office released a draft bill (view the bill here) that would significantly affect the management of both USFS and BLM forestlands in the region, and Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR) has publicly discussed similar legislative proposals. Both legislators are targeting the issues of forest health and wildfire hazards, as well as old-growth forests on federal lands. The scope of these issues and legislative proposals are substantial, and thus both OSAF and national SAF leaders are tracking their development and also asked some members to review and comment on the proposals. Contact: Paul Adams (), OSAF Policy chair, 541.737.2946.
osaf landslides on forest lands position extended others now under revision
In January 2008 the OSAF Executive Committee approved a one-year extension of the position statement on "Landslides on Forest Lands," which had expired in December 2007. The extension considered the recent news media spotlight on some major landslides, which have raised questions about possible links to forestry activities. The OSAF Policy Committee plans to draft a new position later this year that will address both landslide and other steep land or wildland-urban interface issues, but the landslide position will remain useful until this new position is adopted.
Several OSAF position statements will expire in 2008, and the OSAF Policy Committee currently is considering some revisions and updates. Those scheduled to expire this year include "Salvage Harvesting," "Clearcutting," "Using Pesticides on Forest Lands," and "Active Management to Achieve and Maintain Healthy Forests." OSAF members are encouraged to take a fresh look at the expiring statements and pass along any comments to your local chapter officers or the Policy Committee. All OSAF position statements are online and draft revisions have been postd in the "members only" section. Contact: Paul Adams (), OSAF Policy chair, 541.737.2946.