February 2015
Fire Protection Districts top AFA’s legislative agenda Max Braswell AFA Executive Vice President As of press time, House Majority Leader Rep. Ken Bragg planned to file a bill the week of February 16 that will bring clarity and set a cap on the amount of an assessment that can be levied on timberland by a Fire Protection District. Under Arkansas Code Annotated 14-284212, Fire Protection Districts may assess dues to timberland owners. Currently, there is no limit on the amount of the assessment and there are instances where it is higher than the Forest Fire Protection Tax, which all timberland owners are required by law to pay to support the fire suppression programs of the Arkansas Forestry Commission. Rep. Bragg and I have been working closely with Rep. Kim Hammer (R - Benton) and members of his Fire Department Work Group to reach consensus on the bill. Rep. Hammer will be introducing a suite of bills this session aimed at helping lower ISO ratings for rural volunteer fire departments and increase the percentage of fire dues they collect. This flurry of activity provided the opportunity for AFA to work toward limiting the amount of fees, assessments and taxes that timberland owners must pay for the same type of service. During our discussions with the work group, we also clarified and confirmed that timberland does not fit the definition of property that may be assessed dues by a non-profit volunteer fire department. Nonprofit volunteer fire departments may only levy dues on “each residence and on each business having an occupiable structure.” Stay tuned to the weekly email Legislative Update and other AFA communications
for details when the bill is filed. I’ll provide you a list of committee members when it is referred to committee so that you can express your support. In addition, AFA will continue to build a coalition of support from other like-minded organizations to help Rep. Bragg pass the bill.
If you have a question or need additional information on an issue during the session, please don’t hesitate to contact me at the AFA office at (501) 374-2441 or by e-mail at mbraswell@arkforests.org. Information about the General Assembly is available at www.arkleg.state.ar.us.
Events connect forestry with lawmakers
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FA is working with partners to host the following forestry-related events during this year’s legislative session. February 25 Forestry Day at the Capitol AFA members are encouraged to attend this special day at the State Capitol. This event will provide a unique opportunity for members of the forestry community to interact with lawmakers and provide information about the important role forestry plays in the state’s economy and environment. Forestry-related information booths will be set up from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the second floor rotunda. Confirmed exhibits include AFA, ArborGen, Arkansas Forestry Commission, Arkansas Forest Resources Center, Arkansas Timber Producers Association, Deltic, Domtar, Green Bay Packaging, UAM School of Forest Resources, USDA Forest Service and Weyerhaeuser. ArborGen, Arkansas Forestry Commission and Weyerhaeuser Premium Seedlings will provide hardwood seedlings from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the front steps of the Capitol. Because parking around the State Capitol is challenging during the legislative session anyone interested in attending Forestry Day can park on the street near the AFA office at 4th and Pulaski, two blocks east of the Capitol.
March 9 Legislative Reception 4:30 – 6:30 p.m. Foster-Robinson House 2122 S. Broadway, Little Rock AFA, Arkansas Timber Producers Association, Arkansas Forest and Paper Council and partners from across the forestry community will host a reception for all members of the House and Senate on Monday, March 9, from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the Foster-Robinson House. This is another excellent opportunity to strengthen our relationships in a fun, casual setting.
CALENDAR February 25 Forestry Day at the Capitol 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Exhibits 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Seedling Giveaway March 9 AFA Legislative Reception 4:30 - 6:30 p.m. Foster-Robinson House 2212 S. Broadway St. Little Rock March 18 10 a.m. - PLT Steering Committee Location TBA March 19 10 a.m. - Program Committee AFA Office - Little Rock March 31 Log A Load For Kids Kickoff Arkansas Children’s Hospital April 7 10 a.m. - Executive Committee AFA Office - Little Rock May 7 Forestland Tour ARTEX Ranch, Elkins May 7-8 AFA Board of Directors AFA Education Foundation Board of Directors Embassy Suites, Rogers June 15-19 Teacher Conservation Tour Hot Springs June 18 Tree Farmer Conference Benton October 6-8 70th AFA Annual Meeting Hot Springs
Bibler to be inducted into Arkansas Agriculture Hall of Fame
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he Arkansas Agriculture Hall of Fame will induct five individuals this spring whose leadership and service have brought distinction to the state’s largest industry segment. The newest class includes James R. (Jim) Baker of Conway, James Bibler of Russellville, the late Billie R. Nix of Ash Flat, the late Bruce Oakley of El Paso and John Ed Regenold of Blytheville. “To consider the accomplishments of these gentlemen who have been selected to the Arkansas Agriculture Hall of Fame is to see the outcome of hard work, foresight and ingenuity,” said Butch Calhoun of Des Arc, chairman of the Arkansas Agriculture Hall of Fame and former Arkansas Secretary of Agriculture. “The impact they made on their communities, on agriculture in our state, and the lives of so many of those associated with their successes is incalculable. Bibler is the former owner of Bibler Brothers Lumber Company, a model timber man who built a progressive and successful milling operation. He is a past chairman of the Arkansas Forestry Commission, former president of the Arkansas Forestry Association, and past president of the Southern Forest Products Association. He
was named Man of the Year in 1991 by Timber Processing magazine. Bibler recalls when the family lumber mill burned to the ground in 1969, it was run by his father, his father’s two brothers and sister. They asked James what they should do. “I told them I wanted to build it back, but didn’t want to use the same old saws and equipment,” he said. “When we build back I want to install the most modern equipment on the market. That’s what we did, but it didn’t stop there. Every time something new came along we would incorporate it into the operation. That was my philosophy throughout my career.” The group will be honored at the 27th annual induction luncheon, set for 11:30 a.m. on March 6 at Little Rock’s Embassy Suites Hotel. Luncheon tickets are $35 each and are available by calling (501) 228-1470 or email aghalloffame@arfb.com. In 2014, O.H. “Doogie” Darling, of Crossett, became the first forestry inductee into the Arkansas Agriculture Hall of Fame. AFA is pleased to have been a part of getting forestry representatives in this prestigious institution.
AFA members in the news >> Three members of the forest resources faculty and staff at the University of Arkansas at Monticello (UAM) recently received awards from the Ouachita Society of American Foresters: Dr. Hal Liechty, professor of forestry specializing in forest ecology and hydrology, received the Forestry Science Research Award; Dr. Tamara Walkingstick, associate professor and associate director of extension for the Arkansas Forest Resources Center, received the Technology Transfer Award; and Chris Stuhlinger, UAM forest manager, received the Ted Chauncey Career Forester Award. >> Arkansas State Treasurer Dennis Milligan named Jim Harris, of Bryant, as his chief of staff. Harris, who owns about 500 acres of timber land in Hempstead County and is a member of the Arkansas Forestry Association, served as Milligan’s chief of staff while Milligan was Saline County Circuit Clerk. “Jim was instrumental in helping to implement many of the changes we made in the circuit clerk’s office during my four
years there. He has a wealth of experience in working in the local, state and federal government levels that will be invaluable in the Treasurer’s office.” Milligan said. >> President and CEO of Anthony Forest Products Aubra Anthony was re-elected to serve another two-year term on the American Wood Council (AWC). The full AWC board includes Ray Dillon, with Deltic Timber. Also, Dillon was recently reappointed to a three-year term and named chairman of the board of the Little Rock branch of the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. >> Twenty-six members of the Society of American Foresters (SAF) attained the rank of Fellow in 2014, including Dr. Victor L. Ford, director of the Southwest Research and Extension Center in Hope. To be named an SAF Fellow is an honor that recognizes a member of SAF for his or her outstanding contributions and service to the Society and the profession.
Acres for wildlife improves habitat, environment
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he quality of wildlife habitat in Arkansas depends on decisions made by those who own and manage the land. Out of 33 million surface acres in the Arkansas, 29 million are under private ownership. Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC) Turkey Program Coordinator Jason Honey says the agency’s Acres for Wildlife program continues to target all wildlife species in the state, with special emphasis on ground nesting birds such as turkey and quail. “Landowners can play an important part in improving the habitat for wildlife in Arkansas by taking an active role in this program,” Honey said. Native warm-season grasses and forbs are primarily selected to provide nesting, brood-rearing and escape cover for quail and other grassland birds. Along with
the native warm-season grass project, landowners can also compete for additional funds to cover costs associated with prescribed fire, herbicide application and travel corridor establishment. The projects require at least five contiguous acres. Applications can be made at any time. The AFW program is intended to benefit all species of wildlife. It does not retire cropland or grazing land; neither does it open posted land to hunters. This is left entirely to the discretion of the landowner or tenant. As an AFW cooperator (landowner), farmers and landowners can help Arkansas’s wildlife and the environment by managing all or a portion of their land for wildlife. The AFW program creates additional habitat and encourages considerations for wildlife needs, in conjunction with good farming,
livestock production and forestry practices. Landowners enrolling in the AFW program have access to an AGFC private lands biologist who can offer specific wildlife management recommendations for the property along with advice for landowners regarding other state, federal and private programs offering financial and technical assistance. Many program opportunities offer cost-share assistance and other incentives. For more information on the programs, call Honey at 1-877-470-3650 or go to www.agfc.com/species/Pages/ SpeciesConservationProgramsAAW. aspx#2. To contact a private lands biologist go to www.agfc.com/habitat.
Renewable energy policies drive wood pellet production USDA Forest Service Southern Research Station
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recently released study led by U.S. Forest Service scientists and published by the Forest Service’s Southern Research Station (SRS) finds that policies in the European Union (EU) and elsewhere requiring the use of renewable and low greenhouse gas-emitting energy are driving demand for wood pellets used to generate bioenergy. This demand could provide new markets for U.S. timber exports, increase wood prices, and lead to increases in forestland area. Karen Abt, research economist with the SRS Forest Economics and Policy unit is the lead author of the report. “Southern forests and some northern forests are being used to produce pellets for export to the EU,” she said. “Current and proposed production levels have the potential to increase prices, but may also lead to an increase in timberland area.” Abt and her team used a computer model to simulate timber markets in the U.S. Coastal South through the year 2040. “We modeled a ‘business as usual’ scenario which continued the current level of wood production,” she said, “and an alternative scenario which increased the production of wood bioenergy.” This alternative scenario accounted for continued bioenergy demands based on the most recent
projections of wood consumption by pellet mills and other bioenergy producers. These projections include all announced bioenergy wood demands, and while actual demands will likely be lower, there is considerable uncertainty in the market. In the baseline scenario, the simulation showed timber demand and prices rising in the short term, but falling in all areas across the South by 2040. However, when Abt’s team added the bioenergy component to the baseline, they saw a very different outcome. “Based on our assumptions, the results indicate increased bioenergy demand could result in an increase in pine non-sawtimber prices,” said Abt. One might assume that increased demand for timber products and the associated boom in timber harvests would deplete southern forests. However, the study finds an increased demand for timber could mean just the opposite. In Abt’s simulations, the baseline scenario, which does not account for additional bioenergy demand, saw forested land decrease by 2040. But in the simulations accounting for additional bioenergy needs, there was actually an increase in the forest land base over the same period, despite the increased harvests. As Abt points out, it’s all about supplying the increased demand. “We know people plant more when prices go up,” she said. “We also know that they keep more natural
forest as forest when prices go up.” Abt and her team based their initial research on EU policy, the Renewable Energy Directive, which requires a 20 percent contribution from bioenergy to the energy use of all EU Member States by 2020. However, it is now clear the EU requirements will extend even longer, which likely means an even greater impact. “The EU has already extended their renewable requirement through 2030,” Abt said, adding that the new requirement also increases the amount of bioenergy required to 27 percent. “There is no indication that they will renege on this additional requirement, though the newest policy lacks country-specific requirements, which adds a bit of uncertainty.” Abt points out that there is much that is still unknown about the interactions among policy, economics, and forestry. This makes projections such as these inherently uncertain. “There are studies underway by the EU Environment Agency on the effects of the Renewable Energy Directive on the sustainability of southern forests,” Abt said. “If new requirements are adopted, this could affect use of southern forests for pellet production for export to the EU.” She adds, “All indications are that pellets from southern forests will meet the current EU requirements.”
AFA Communications Sponsor - Kingwood Forestry Services, Inc. Kingwood Forestry Services is a natural resource consulting firm providing a complete line of forestry services to landowners. The company was set up in its present form in 1983 but has roots in a firm with private forestry services dating back to 1963. Kingwood has full-service offices at Monticello and Arkadelphia in Arkansas and at Texarkana, Texas.