In response to President Barack Obama’s fiscal year (FY) 2017 budget request, the National Association of State Foresters (NASF) issued the following statement: "The President’s budget proposal should help State Foresters address some of the priorities outlined in each state’s Forest Action Plan, however, the request falls short in some key program areas," said Paul DeLong, Wisconsin State Forester and NASF president.

In a time of increasing threats to our forests—wildfire, pests and disease and development—federal funding for state and private forestry programs is a wise investment that is more important than ever. State Foresters manage and protect two-thirds of the nation's forests. The strategies defined in the Forest Action Plans ensure these investments are directed where they are most needed, thus delivering a wide array of public values and benefits, including clean air and water, wildlife habitat, places to recreate, and good paying jobs.

Last week, WVFA requested a vote of "NO" on S.B. 419; the Governors workers compensation/budget bill. Since that time, forest industry lobbyists and the WVFA Government Affairs Committee have worked with the Executive and Legislative branches to correct the bill. With the passage of Sen. Robert Karnes amendment to the S.B. 419, the proposed permanent 2.78 percent severance tax on timber was removed from S.B. 419. Therefore, the amendment re-established the status quo; i.e., 1.22 percent severance tax on timber after the state workers compensation debt is paid-off. Stay tuned...

More than 100 individuals participated in at least one of our A.B. Brooks Symposium events this year. Overheard as attendees filed out of the symposium: "This may have been the best symposium, ever."

Attendance is improving. In 2012 there were 36 attendees; in 2013 there were 40; in 2014, 83. Then last year, we welcomed about 95. Staff believes that the snow the day and night before the events kept some away, but all except a very few pre-registrants were present. This is an excellent reflection of work by Program Committee Chair Greg Wilhelm of The Forestland Group, with help from WVFA President Ed Kraynok of Coastal Timberlands.

Feb.09, WV Senate Floor - Senate Resolution honoring BT Humphries Logging upon winning 2015 FRA US Appalachian-Region Logger of the Year as 2014 WV Forestry Association Logger of the Year; accepted by Harry Vance, Chairman of the WV Loggers Council.