SAF ACTIONS

1. SAF Members Nominated for EPA Greenhouse Gas Advisory Panel-Submit Your Letter of Support

   The EPA Science Advisory Board (SAB) Staff Office is forming a panel to advise the EPA on draft greenhouse gas accounting methodology for biogenic carbon dioxide emissions from stationary sources.

   The SAB Staff Office has identified a "short list" of nominees that includes the names of 22 SAF members. Please submit comments of support for SAF's members on the list to Holly Stallworth (stallworth.holly@epa.gov) designated federal officer, no later than July 15. To view the "short list" of nominees link to: http://www.safnet.org/documents/SAF_members_on_EPA_SAB_panel.pdf.

   In creating the panel, the SAB Staff Office seeks a balanced committee with members who possess the scientific expertise, experience, and perspective necessary to provide impartial input as the EPA reviews the relevant science and research to craft the new guidelines for biogenic carbon dioxide emissions from stationary sources.

   To read brief biographical sketches of the 82 nominees and more information about the SAB panel link to:
   http://yosemite.epa.gov/sab/sabproduct.nsf/WebProjectsRequestsforCommentsBOARD/2F9B572C712AC52E8525783100704886/$File/Invitation%20for%20Comment%20on%20Short%20List%20with%20Biosketches%206-24-11.pdf

In the Administration

1. EPA Grants Biomass a Final Reprieve from CO2 Rules
   
   New York Times, Published by Gabriel Nelson, July 5th

   As proposed earlier this year, biomass-burning facilities will be spared from new federal curbs on gases that help cause climate change. The final plan released Friday by U.S. EPA will give biomass a three-year pass while the agency studies the effect of plant emissions on climate change. During that time, industrial plants that burn woody biomass and landfills that release the greenhouse gases from decomposing biomass won't need permits before starting construction and won't need Title V operating permits. To read more of this article link to: http://www.nytimes.com/gwire/2011/07/05/05greenwire-epa-grants-biomass-a-final-reprieve-from-co2-r-18885.html

2. BLM's Withdrawal of Western Oregon Logging Plan Resets the Argument
   
   The Oregonian, Published by Eric Mortensen, July 6th

   Abandoning a logging plan for Bureau of Land Management forests in western Oregon either repairs a Bush-administration mistake or shows Pres. Obama is "unfriendly" to rural America, depending on your perspective. No surprise -- environmentalists and the timber industry have vastly different takes on the BLM's recommendation that a federal judge toss out the Western Oregon Plan Revisions. To read more of this article link to: http://www.oregonlive.com/environment/index.ssf/2011/07/blms_withdrawal_of_western_ore.html

This Week in Congress

1. Udall Calls for Action to Help Colorado's Forest-Management Economy, Save Jobs at 3 Sawmills
   
   Press Release, July 5th

   Today, Mark Udall sent a letter urging the U.S. Forest Service and the U.S. Department of Agriculture to take immediate action to help three of Colorado's largest sawmills stay afloat and keep rural jobs in the state. Udall suggested that the USFS and the USDA rework timber sale contracts with the sawmills, which are struggling financially. To read more of this article link to: http://markudall.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=1201

2. Appropriations Committee Releases the Fiscal Year 2012 Interior-Environment Appropriations Bill
   
   House Appropriations Committee Press Release, July 6th

   The House Appropriations Committee today released the fiscal year 2012 Interior and Environment Appropriations bill which will be considered in subcommittee tomorrow. The legislation includes funding for the Department of the Interior, the Environment Protection Agency (EPA), the Forest Service, and various independent and related agencies. To read more of this article link to: http://appropriations.house.gov/news/DocumentSingle.aspx?DocumentID=250003

3. July 7th - U.S. House Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment and Related Agencies held a full committee mark up hearing for fiscal year 2012 appropriations. To read more about this hearing link to: http://appropriations.house.gov/Calendar/EventSingle.aspx?EventID=249603
4. Agriculture Subcommittee Continues Farm Policy Audit with Hearing on Conservation Programs
   
   House Committee on Agriculture Press Release, July 7th

   Today, Rep. Glenn 'GT' Thompson, Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee's Subcommittee on Conservation, Energy, and Forestry, continued the audit hearings on farm policy, which is the first step in the farm bill process. Each chairman of the six subcommittees will hold hearings to examine programs in their respective jurisdictions to determine spending trends and confirm how programs work together. To read more of this article link to: http://agriculture.house.gov/press/PRArticle.aspx?NewsID=1416

National News

1. Forest Service Maps Track Progress, Trouble of Nation's Watersheds
   
   The Missoulian, Published by Rob Chaney, July 2nd

   To measure its progress protecting the nation's water supply, the U.S. Forest Service has compiled the first nationwide map of watersheds and their health. While much of the information has been available at the state level, this is the first time all of the country's public lands water quality data has been put together, said Forest Service regional hydrologist Bruce Sims. To read more of this article click here.

2. APNewsBreak: Insects Leading Threat to US Forests
   
   Associated Press, Published by John Flesher, July 6th

   A federal report says hungry insects are a leading threat to the nation's forests, a problem worsened by drought and a milder climate. In a report obtained Wednesday by The Associated Press, the U.S. Forest Service says the amount of forestland with large-scale tree deaths caused by insects jumped to 37 million acres between 2003 and 2007. To read more of this article link to: http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2011/07/06/general-us-forest-health_8551979.html

3. U.S. Timber Exports to China Have Lessened the Economic Blow for Some
   
   Foxnews.com, Published by Dan Springer, July 6th

   The timber industry has been a surprising bright spot in the U.S. economy. Even as the housing market continues to sputter and home building remains stuck at levels one-third of the boom times of 2006, exports to China have softened the blow. In 2010, timber exports to China more than doubled compared with 2009. The country spent $270 million on U.S. trees, surpassing Japan and Canada as the largest foreign timber market. The winners are the big, private timber companies. To read more of this article link to: http://www.foxnews.com/us/2011/07/06/timber-market-is-economic-salvation/#ixzz1RWqIpfkO

In the States: Mississippi, Montana, and Alabama

1. Efforts Underway to Restore Longleaf Pine Forests
   
   Hattiesburgamerican.com, Published by Tim Doherty, July 4th

   They once carpeted the Southeast, covering 90 million acres from east Texas to Virginia. Now, longleaf pine forests have dwindled in size and scope, with the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service estimating that only about 3 million acres exist nationally. But the NRCS has set in motion a program to restore longleaf stands, preserving the forests' ecosystems that 20 endangered species call home. To read more of this article link to: http://www.hattiesburgamerican.com/article/20110705/NEWS01/107050318/Efforts-under-way-restore-longleaf-pine-forests

2. AP IMPACT: New Danger Found in Asbestos Town
   
   The Associated Press, Published by Matthew Brown, July 5th

   For a decade, the people of Libby have longed for the day when they will be rid of the asbestos that turned their town into the deadliest Superfund site in America. Now they are being forced to live through the agony all over again, thanks to two giant piles of bark and wood chips on the edge of town. To read more of this article link to: http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hoUgo3amrREGgYK1kNMMQHwcQwEw?docId=181b46a1026b493da8536cd7af0aae28

3. Campaign to Bring Trees Back to Alabama
   
   WSFA.com, Published by Brooke Bailey, July 5th

   There is a new campaign to bring trees back to tornado ravaged Alabama. The tornadoes that tore through Alabama on April 27th damaged and knocked down thousands of trees. There is now an effort to replant. The new Alabama Tree Recovery Campaign has been launched in response to proactive efforts of the Alabama Forestry Commission to spearhead recovery of the area's trees and forests. To read more of this article link to: http://www.wsfa.com/story/15028710/campaign-to-bring-trees-back-to-alabama

Last Week in Congress

1. The U.S. House of Representatives is in recess until July 5th
2. Senate Recess Canceled to Deal with Debt Talks
   
   National Journal, Published by Ben Terris and Dan Friedman, June 30th

   Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., said Thursday that the Senate will work through its scheduled July 4th recess to deal with the looming crisis on the debt ceiling. "...With liberty comes responsibility. We should take that responsibility seriously. I know I do," Reid said. "That is why the Senate will reconvene on Tuesday, the day after the 4th of July. We'll be in session next week, with our first vote July 5th. To read more of this article link to: http://www.nationaljournal.com/senate-recess-canceled-to-deal-with-debt-talks-20110630

3. Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands to Hold South Dakota Field Hearing on Mountain Pine Beetle Epidemic
   
   House Natural Resources Committee Press Release, June 30th

   On Sunday July 10, 2011 the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands will hold an Oversight Field Hearing in Hill City, South Dakota on the "Impacts of the Mountain Pine Beetle Epidemic in the Black Hills." Mountain Pine Beetles have spread throughout the West and reached epidemic levels in America's forests. To read more of this article link to: http://naturalresources.house.gov/News/DocumentSingle.aspx?DocumentID=249521

Wildfire Update

1. Texas to Receive Federal Disaster Help for Wildfires
   
   Rueters, Published by Elliot Blackburn, July 1st

   Obama declared a major disaster in 45 counties, many of them in the state's dry and charred west, for damage sustained as wildfires raged through grassland and scrub in April. The declaration covers damage from April 6 to May 3, a portion of the 3.2 million acres of wildfire that has burned across Texas this year. State and local governments may be reimbursed for up to 75 percent of the cost of clearing debris and firefighting efforts to protect property. To read more of this article link to: http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/07/01/us-texas-wildfires-fema-idUSTRE7606FJ20110701

2. Arizona Wildfire Essentially Contained, but Concerns Shift to Flooding
   
   The Associated Press, July 5th

   With the largest wildfire in Arizona history all but contained, specialized units pulled out of eastern Arizona on Tuesday leaving authorities at the heavily-scorched sites of blazes around the state to shift their focus to a new vulnerability -- water. To read more of this article link to: http://www.foxnews.com/us/2011/07/05/arizona-wildfire-essentially-contained-but-concerns-shift-to-flooding/#ixzz1RS6dTkvm

About the Policy Update:

Disclaimer: The Society of American Foresters does not necessarily endorse the views expressed in the news items and/or links to additional information that appear in the Policy Update.

Problems? If you experience any problems with the Policy Update please let us know so we can work to resolve the problem. If problems persist, we can make arrangements to send the Policy Update to you in an alternative format.