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For Immediate Release February 29, 2008

TRADITIONAL USE GROUPS APPEALS RESULT IN ALLOWABLE TIMBER SALES INCREASE ON GREEN MT. NATIONAL FOREST

     Allowable timber sales will be increased significantly in the Green Mt. National Forest as a result of appeals against the 2006 Green Mt. National Forest Plan filed by three traditional use groups.

      The Vermont Traditions Coalition and two of its member groups, the Vermont Forest Products Association and Associated Industries of Vermont, filed appeals of the National Forest Plan in 2007.  The Ruffed Grouse Society and Vermont Agency of Natural Resources intervened on behalf of the traditional use groups appeals.

      In 2007, the United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service Washington Office appeal review team required the Green Mt. Forest Service to re-calculate allowable timber sales quantity.  The U. S. Forest Service announced this week that the re-calculation increased allowable timber sales by 3.3 million board feet annually.  The increase ranges from 18-35% according to various calculations of the Forest Service.

     Norm Arsenault is a retired top level U. S. Forest Service executive who also serves as Chairman of the Board of Selectmen of the Town of Granville, which includes a large chunk of the Green Mt. Forest.  Arsenault serves as the Vermont Traditions Coalition Project Leader on Green Mt. National Forest issues.

     "It's an important victory.  The appeal decision raises the timber cutting goal of the Forest Service, and increasing goals generally increases performance," declared Arsenault.  "Cutting more timber creates healthier forests, more abundant wildlife, more sustainable rural jobs, and more locally grown wood."

     "It's extremely rare for appellants to be successful at the national administrative appeal level," stated Northeast Biologist Paul Karczmarczyk of the Ruffed Grouse Society.  "We're heartened that the Forest Service recognized the error.  The decision will lead to improved habitat for wildlife."

     "The Forest Service correction confirms what forestry professionals have long known our National Forest is capable of producing far more raw material for Vermont workers than we've been allowed to take," said Vermont Farm Bureau Forestry Chairperson, Bruce Shields.

     Timber cutting in the Green Mt. National Forest virtually stopped between 2000-2005.  By 2007, Forest Service cutting had increased to just under 5 million board feet per year.  However, between 1961-1988, timber sales generally ranged from 10 million board feet--19.7 million board feet per year. Law suits by environmental groups and bureaucratic gridlock due to complex and convoluted regulations caused the drop off.

     "Times change," declared Vermont Traditions Coalition Executive Director Steve McLeod. "With societal changes such as increased biomass demand and increased recognition about buying locally, it becomes important to increase allowable timber sales to meet potential future needs and to be scientifically correct."

     "This is a step in the right direction for improving utilization of our national forests to support our rural economy," added Ed Larson, Executive Director of the Vermont Forest Products Assn.

Contact Information:  Norm Arsenault (767-3853) VTC; Bruce Shields (888-5165) Farm Bureau; Steve McLeod (434-3346) VTC Exec. Director; Ed Larson (224-9177) Vt. Forest Products Assn. Exec.; Paul Karczmarczyk (802-558-0884) Ruffed Grouse Society 

Urgent!!    Bill As Introduced
H.631

Introduced by   Representatives McAllister of Highgate, Ainsworth of Royalton, Baker of West Rutland, Brennan of Colchester, Howrigan of Fairfield, Keogh of Burlington, Larocque of Barnet, Larrabee of Danville, LaVoie of Swanton and Winters of Williamstown

Subject:  Municipal government; police power of municipalities; burning refuse

Statement of purpose:  This bill proposes that a person who incinerates refuse in a container, furnace, or other device without a permit would not be subject to the penalty of a suspended driver's license or loss of hunting or fishing license.
Burning trash is not a good thing to do but it has nothing to do with hunting or fishing. It insinuates that sportsmen are the type of people who would burn trash.

As a hunter or fisherman you should be insulted, as we are.

Now it's imperative that we the people act TODAY by contacting the members of the House Fish and Wildlife Committee and encourage them to move this onto the floor for a vote.  We have a chance to restore some of Vermont's constitutional right to hunt and fish.  The committee has the bill and we need to let them know that we want it passed this session.  Below are the names of the committee members.

COMMITTEE ON FISH, WILDLIFE & WATER RESOURCES (Room 47)

Representative Deen of Westminster, Chair ddeen@leg.state.vt.us
Representative Shaw of Derby, Vice-Chair lshaw@leg.state.vt.us
Representative McCullough of Williston jmccullough@leg.state.vt.us
Representative Adams of Hartland stevenadams@leg.state.vt.us
Representative Anderson of Montpelier janderson@leg.state.vt.us
Representative Courcelle of Rutland City gcourcelle@leg.state.vt.us
Representative Johnson of Canaan   802-277-8329
Representative Martin (Cynthia) of Springfield, Clerk cmartin@leg.state.vt.us
Representative Randall of Troy  802-744-2417

As it stands right now if someone gets caught burning trash without a permit a citizen can loose their driver's license and hunting & fishing license.  Burning trash has nothing to do with hunting & fishing.  Call today.

Paul Beaudry
Swanton, Vermont