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WVFA Events
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RE: Birthplace of Rivers designation as a National Monument
CONGRESS of the UNITED STATES HOUSE of REPRESENTATIVES A.B. Brooks Memorial Forestry Symposium West Virginia Forestry Association P. O. Box. 718 Ripley, WV 25271 Dear Friends, Thank you for being here to celebrate West Virginia's agriculture and forestry industries and their rich history in our state. Unfortunately, I could not be with you today, as Congress is in session. In my four years in Congress, I have had the opportunity to work with a number of you, and I wanted to take this time to share with you some of what is happening in Washington. With that being said, I'd also like to take a moment to thank a couple people in particular for the assistance they have provided—Mr. Randy Dye and Mr. Roger Sherman, Thank you, gentleman. In West Virginia, forestry and its related industries employ more than 30,000 people, and it is the only natural resource industry that is found in all 55 counties. The forestry industry contributes roughly $3.2 billion annually to West Virginia's economy and works side by side with West Virginia's tourism industry. With its 11.9 million acres of forested land in our state, wood and wood products touch nearly every person's life throughout West Virginia. However, there are still challenges. One issue of concern to many of you is the proposed Birth Place of Rivers National Monument. Particularly the question of how it would change management of the National Forest in that specific area. Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/wvf-nwl/articles/?aid=307956&issueID=40942 to view the full article online. |
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At the December 10 meeting of the WV Tree Farm Committee, two regional meetings were set for 2015, subject to site availability:
March 11 - Morgantown, Westvaco Center March 25 - Summersville, WorkForce West Virginia Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/wvf-nwl/articles/?aid=308044&issueID=40942 to view the full article online. |
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March 11, 2015 - Mountaineer Food Bank, Gassaway, WV
April 1, 2015 - Rupert Community Center, Rupert, WV April 16, 2015 - WVU-P Staunton Annex Building, Parkersburg, WV Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/wvf-nwl/articles/?aid=308045&issueID=40942 to view the full article online. |
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Other
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As the 114th Congress begins, we have new Chairs on the U.S. House Ways and Means and the U.S. Senate Finance committees. The ranking members are the same, although Sen. Wyden (D-OR) was chairman in the last Congress. While actual movement on tax reform remains unclear, there is considerable discussion about it in both chambers. We believe that an early letter to the new leaders reiterating our positions on the timber tax provisions was in order. A similar letter, as that below, was also sent to the chair and ranking member of the House Ways and Means Committee.
February 2, 2015 The Honorable Orrin Hatch Chairman Senate Finance Committee 219 Dirksen Senate Office Building United States Senate Washington, DC 20510 The Honorable Ron Wyden Ranking Member Senate Finance Committee 219 Dirksen Senate Office Building Washington, DC 20510 United States Senate Dear Chairman Hatch and Ranking Member Wyden: As representatives of a broad and diverse group of forest landowners, forest products manufacturers and conservation and recreation partners, we write to express our best wishes as you develop tax policy and legislation in the 114th Congress. As the House Ways and Means Committee considers comprehensive tax reform and fundamental changes to the tax code, we write to encourage the committee to retain the current tax treatment for timber, which works for trees, forestland owners—including the 22 million family forest owners across the country—wood products and paper manufacturing, fish and wildlife, and outdoor recreation. The timber provisions in the code benefit the economy by creating jobs, biomass energy, equity and financial returns for private landowners and investors, and provide public benefits from privately owned working forests, by helping to address the significant threat of conversion of private working forests. Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/wvf-nwl/articles/?aid=308043&issueID=40942 to view the full article online. |