H.B.
No. 5588 AN ACT
CONCERNING FORESTRY MANAGEMENT. Passed as
amended by House Amendment Schedule "A" 04/15. New File
Number 623 Senate
Passed as Amended by Senate Amendment Schedule A 04/22. Potential
Disagreeing Action, Tabled for the Calendar, House 04/23. Potential Disagreeing Action, Tabled for the Calendar, House
04/23. House Passed as Amended by Senate Amendment Schedule A.
PASSED. [Much of the
work done on this bill was by the Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus, CT Farm
Bureau, CT Forest & Parks, DEP, and Environment Comm Chairman Pat
Widlitz (D) Guilford] This is a very important bill to all concerned
and particularly sportsmen.
CT
is a “Forested State.“ This transformation from farmland fields and edges
has seriously affected our traditional environment particularly concerning
wildlife. Small game, which relies on open space/edges, is rapidly
disappearing due to loss of habitat – among these species are: Grouse,
Quail, Rabbits, Woodchucks, and numerous non-game bird species. Conversely,
the forest habitat has increased the prevalence of Coyotes, Bears, Turkey.
This bill will enhance forest management and wildlife management, both
mandated by statute as “Wise
Use of Renewable Natural Resources.”
The
basis of the bill is to accelerate the sound, science-based management of
state owned forestland, enhancing an undeveloped state revenue source, enhance
the diversity/continuance of wildlife species in the state (both game and
non-game), and generate additional forestry positions. Without the bill, a
continuation of poor management, dense forests susceptible to disease, loss of
wildlife habitat and species, and state revenue loss will continue.
Sustainable Forestry programs employ
a variety of environmental principles, such as protecting water quality,
preventing soil erosion, promoting biodiversity and protecting endangered
species, to ensure that woodlands remain healthy and productive
The
bill holds harmless the state collection of current revenues to the General
Fund; establishes a dedicated fund, with revenues to the Conservation Fund, to
be used to hire additional foresters needed to achieve the management goals of
2700 acres/year which have not been accomplished since 1989.
Acreage harvest has declined from 2,766 (1989) to 1484 (2003).
DEP
will deposit any revenue from the Forestry Division over $875,000 per year
from the sale of wood, timber or products from state woodlands into the
Conservation Fund. Harvest revenue has
decreased $1,036,999 (89) to $942,796 (2003) although this figure fluctuates
dependent upon market values/department direct expenses.
Revenue
from Forestry Division will be used to hire more foresters to achieve
management goals. Revenue from sales
of forest products varies depending on number of foresters, ecological factors
and market values. From 1989 to 2003 the
number of DEP Field Foresters has steadily declined from 15 (1989) to 8 (2003)
while the acreage of State owned property has steadily increased.
A
first year forester costs the state $60,000 per year, including salary, fringe
benefits and vehicle.
Allows
the DEP Commissioner to apply for one of nine Sustainable Forest Programs.
This provision is discretionary, so that it may be taken when the
resources are available.
