As reported here, we were successful in getting needed changes to the Managed Timberland Valuation Rule passed by the Legislature. WVFA Legislative Committee Chair, Roger Sherman, offers enlightenment on the Governor's veto:

"Passage required a great deal of work and cooperation and was not completed until a few minutes before the final gavel fell at midnight on the last night of the session. Our rule was contained in what is known as a "rules bundle," a bill containing a number of rules proposed by an agency. As you may be aware, the Governor vetoed that bill. Attached is a document that I prepared which includes the Governor's explanation of his veto followed by a fuller explanation of what transpired."

The "Timber Innovation Act," S. 2892, was introduced April 28th by U.S. Senators Stabenow (D-MI) and Crapo (R-ID), as the bill’s primary sponsors. Additionally, the legislation was introduced with three other original co-sponsors, including Sens. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Steve Daines (R-MT) and Maria Cantwell (D-WA).

The bill would do the following:
1) Authorize the USDA Tall Wood Building Prize Competition annually for the next five years;
2) Create federal grants to support outreach, research and development and education with the purpose of accelerating the use of wood in tall buildings; and
3) Authorize the USDA to implement a program of education and technical assistance for mass timber applications.

Press Releases:
http://www.agriculture.senate.gov/newsroom/dem/press/release/stabenow-crapo-introduce-bipartisan-bill-to-accelerate-research-development-of-wood-building-construction-in-united-states

http://www.crapo.senate.gov/media/newsreleases/release_full.cfm?id=362895

April 6: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has added crayfish species in Kentucky, Virginia and West Virginia to the endangered-species list. These are the species that were the subject of a joint letter to KY, VA and WV congressional delegations from the Kentucky Forest Industries Association, Virginia Forestry Association and WVFA in 2015. USFWS said in a news release that the Guyandotte River crayfish will be listed as endangered and the Big Sandy crayfish will be listed as threatened.

A survey team in West Virginia found two isolated populations of the Guyandotte River crayfish in Pinnacle Creek and Clear Fork in Wyoming County. The Big Sandy crayfish was found at most previously known locations in the upper Big Sandy River watershed in Virginia, West Virginia and Kentucky. The agency said the species also was found in low numbers at a new site, and is better distributed in some Virginia streams with high-quality habitats.

More detail will be forthcoming, but the registration form is attached below. The meeting will again be at Canaan Valley Resort & Conference Center, July 14-17.

MAKE YOUR PLANS, NOW, TO JOIN US IN CANAAN!

2016 West Virginia Logger of the Year nominations are in and moving through the review process and site visits are being planned.

The WV Tree Farm Program has received a $10,000.00 grant from the American Tree Farm System to pay WV Tree Farm Inspectors $30 per hour - up to 4 hours - plus mileage (if any is needed) to review WV Tree Farmers management plans/other. This is in anticipation of an ATFS 2017 review of our Tree Farms.

Relative to Inspector/Tree Farm relationships, any WV TF Inspector that has an existing relationship with a WV Tree Farm will maintain that relationship and have "dibs" on the financing until July 1, after which all WV Inspectors will be actively sought to complete this project for all eligible Tree Farms, by year end.

Inspectors should please contact the WVFA office to learn more about how to engage in this effort (304-372-1955, wvfa@wvfa.org)

As a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, WVFA does not contribute to political campaigns or make endorsements. Instead, we educate our membership on opportunities to participate in election processes and on endorsements about which we have information. We all will have an opportunity to vote on May 10th. We encourage member voting.

Endorsements that have not been Reported Here:
*WV Chamber of Commerce - "...The election for the West Virginia Supreme Court will be determined on May 10th. This is a full, 12-year term and five candidates have filed for the seat. The West Virginia Chamber PAC is supporting Beth Walker’s candidacy for this seat. The election is expected to be close and several associations have undertaken independent expenditure efforts to draw public attention and support to elect Beth Walker and keep Darrell McGraw or other possible contenders from winning this seat..."

*WV Farm Bureau - "The West Virginia Farm Bureau Political Education and Political Action Committee (WV FARM PAC) has endorsed Bob Ashley for State Senate in the May 10th Primary Election. Sen. Ashley is proud to receive this endorsement and is ready to continue the service to West Virginia farmers..."

Requests for Campaign Funding that have not been Reported Here:
Re-Election of Del. Cindy Frich: 304-599-1309
Re-Election of Del. Bill Hamilton: 304-472-1966
Re-Election of Del. Eric Householder: elhouseholder@aol.com
Re-Election of Del. Steve Westfall: Fundraiser June 2 4:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m. in Charleston. Westfall, PO Box 249, Ripley, WV 25271

Sen. Bill Cole for Governor: http://www.billcolewv.com/