National Association of State Foresters (NASF) 2014 Farm Bill Crosswalk 1

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1 (NASF) 1 NASF Farm Bill Platform Support consolidation of certain Conservation Title programs if the adjustment facilitates forest landowner participation in those programs, improves agency program delivery, and efficiency. As may be feasible, reallocate a portion of the current 60% dedicated funding for livestock in EQIP for high priority forest resource projects; Provide adequate funding to meet conservation needs, and; Pre-determined funding limits should not be established within a consolidated program that restricts funding to private forest land. Reauthorize and fund CSP and maintain opportunities for forest owner participation. Remove 10% forest acreage cap in CSP putting forest owners on equal footing with farmers and ranchers; Develop specific CSP component to address high priority watersheds relative to drinking water supply, quality and quantity issues. Support potential consolidation of certain Conservation Title programs if the adjustment facilitates forest landowner participation in those programs, improves agency program delivery and efficiency and maintains adequate funding to meet conservation needs February 4, 2014 Conservation Title House & Senate Approved Farm Bill Consolidates the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP) Allows at least 5% of EQIP funds to be used for WHIP purposes Maintains 60% allocation for livestock production Funds the program at $1.35B (FY14), $1.65B (FY15-FY17), $1.75B (FY18) Reauthorizes the Conservation Stewardship Program Removes 10% cap on the number of forestry acres that can be enrolled in the program Caps the overall number of agriculture and forest land acres that can be enrolled at 10 million Creates new Agriculture Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) targeted at agricultural lands and wetlands by consolidating current reserve programs at USDA. $400M (FY14), $425M (FY15), $450M (FY16), $500M (FY17), and $250M (FY18) Qualify expired Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) tree planting projects to be specially enrolled in Conservation Stewardship Program Extends CRP and reduces enrollment to 24 million acres in FY18 as follows: FY 14: 27.5 million acres FY 15: 26 million acres FY 16: 25 million acres FY 17: 24 million acres FY 18: 24 million acres Provides guidance that certain forest management practices are allowable including thinning, harvesting 1 Updated by Brent Keith, NASF Policy Director (bkeith@stateforesters.org) and Sarah Wessel, NASF Forest Policy Intern.

2 pine straw, and prescribed fire Provides incentive payments for certain forest management activities (thinning) where markets are currently inadequate to support such activities Establishes new Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) accomplishes purposes similar to the Ag. Water Enhancement Program, Chesapeake Bay Watershed Program, and Great Lakes Basin Program to further conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of natural resources on a regional or watershed scale. Forest restoration is included as an eligible activity. Covered programs include: Ag. Conservation Easement Program, EQIP, CSP and HFRP Funded with $100M in mandatory funding + 7% of funds from covered programs 25% allocated on a state competitive basis, 40% based on national competitive process 35% to critical conservation areas Reauthorize the Community Wood Energy Program and increase the funding authorization. Energy Title Reauthorizes the Biomass Crop Assistance Program (BCAP) and makes the following policy changes: Allows expiring CRP acres to be enrolled in BCAP; Includes as eligible material materials collected or harvested from National Forest System and BLM lands in addition to non-federal lands; Does not allow any BCAP establishment payments on lands enrolled in CRP; Authorizes use of available CCC funds for the program in the amount of $25M for FY14-FY18 o No less than 10% and not more than 50% of program funds to make collection, harvest, transportation and storage payments under the program. Repeals the Forest Biomass for Energy Program at the USDA Forest Service Reauthorizes $5M for the Community Wood Energy Program at the USDA Forest Service through FY18. Allows smalls grants of $50,000 or less, with a 50% nonfederal match, to help provide seed capital for biomass consumer cooperatives that help create a stronger market for biomass heating products like wood chips or pellets. 2

3 Ensure that forest products are included in the Biobased Market Program. Include the Forest Products Fairness Act that removes the barriers currently in place that deny forest products their rightful label as USDA Certified Biobased and allow them to compete in both national and global markets. The Act provides a level playing field among biobased products and would create new markets for forest products in areas where markets and jobs have been lost. Support extension of stewardship contracting authority (See NASF Resolution ). Defines forest product to ensure that forest products are treated in the same manner as other biobased products. Clarifies that all forest products are eligible for inclusion in the BioPreferred and Biobased Program and requires coordination with Forest Products Lab for eligibility determinations. $3M mandatory and $2M discretionary funding annually through FY18 Forestry Title Permanently authorizes Stewardship Contracting the authority was set to expire at the end of FY14. Provides strategic direction for the implementation of the FIA program including (among other items): Completing transition to a fully annualized program including Interior Alaska Reporting information on renewable biomass supplies and carbon stocks Engaging state foresters and other users of FIA data in re-evaluating the list of core data variables Fostering greater cooperation among the FIA program, research station leaders, and state foresters Understanding and reporting on changes in land cover and use Implementing an annualized inventory of trees in urban settings Adds Fire Liability Provisions to Stewardship Contracts and Agreements that follows those included in integrated resource timber contracts and timber sale contracts. Additionally, Authorizes designation by description and designation by prescription as valid methods of designation for timber sales. Provides strategic direction for the implementation of the FIA program including (among other items): Completing transition to a fully annualized program including Interior Alaska Reporting information on renewable biomass supplies and carbon stocks Engaging state foresters and other users of FIA data in reevaluating the list of core data variables Fostering greater cooperation among the FIA program, research station leaders, and state foresters Understanding and reporting on changes in land cover and use Implementing an annualized inventory of trees in urban settings Reauthorizes International Forestry through FY18 Does NOT include funding caps for Forest Legacy, or other NASF priority programs (some earlier versions of the Farm Bill included such provisions, which NASF opposed) Amends HFRA to require USDA to designate treatment areas on at least one national forest in each State, if requested by the Governor, that USDA determines are experiencing 3

4 declining forest health due to insect or disease infestation. Authorizes $200M to carry out treatments to address the insect or disease infestation in the designated treatment areas consistent with authorities under HFRA Includes a 3,000 acre categorical exclusion for qualifying projects: o Must be developed through collaborative process o Must be located in the wildland urban interface o Maximize old growth retention, as appropriate for the forest type o o Must consider best available science May not construct permanent roads temporary roads to be decommissioned within three years NASF supports the expansion of the Good Neighbor Authority (see NASF Resolution ). Makes the Good Neighbor Authority available in states with National Forest System or BLM lands. The authority was piloted in UT and CO and it allows the Forest Service or BLM to enter into agreements with state foresters to carry out forest, rangeland, and watershed restoration, management and protection services on NFS lands including projects involving commercial harvesting or other mechanical vegetative treatments. Excludes certain activities, such as road construction. Reauthorizes the Healthy Forests Reserve Program (HFRP) at NRCS. Increases authorization for appropriations by $2.25M to $12M per year through FY18. Allows use of appropriated funds to cover the cost of technical assistance, management, and enforcement responsibilities for land enrolled in the program. Further amends HFRP by defining the acreage owned by Indian tribes that are eligible for participation in the program. Repeals the Special Administrative Review Process on any project implementing a land and resource management plan that is categorically excluded (CE) under NEPA. This action clarifies that CEs are not required to go a notice and comment process as required under a March 2012 federal court decision. Provide adequate financial and analytical support for updates of Forest Action Plans Include language to facilitate coordination of efforts among state forestry agencies and Dept. of Defense to promote the perpetuation of forest land around Reauthorizes Forest Action Plans through FY18 and encourages coordination with military installations where the voluntary participation and management of private or stateowned or other public forestland is able to support, promote, and contribute to the mission of such installations. 4

5 military installations NASF Farm Bill Platform House & Senate Approved 2014 Farm Bill Revise and reauthorize as necessary with appropriate funding the Cooperative National Forest Products Marketing Program (Sec USC 2112) with emphasis on market development and assistance consistent with Forest Action Plans Reauthorize the Watershed Forestry Assistance Program with program delivery guided by priorities in the Forest Action Plans; Clarify authority for the USDA Forest Service to facilitate a national coordinated response to wildland fire by providing states access to resources and mobilization infrastructure. Repeals the Expired Cooperative National Forest Products Marketing Program Repeals the Watershed Forestry Assistance Program Clarifies authority for the USDA Forest Service to facilitate a national coordinated response to wildland fire by providing states access to resources and mobilization infrastructure (i.e. fixes the wildland fire mobilization and billing issue). Reauthorize the National Institute of Food and Agriculture's Renewable Resources Extension Act, maintaining the current funding authorization level for education and outreach services to landowners and practicing foresters. Support proposed improvements and capabilities of University Extension relative to technical assistance services for forest landowners Support continued funding ($50M per year) as authorized for the Early Plant Pest Detection and Surveillance Improvement Program (Sec , 2008 Farm Bill); Additionally, provides that the Forest Service can retain receipts received in repayment of fire suppression services rendered. Establishes a USDA Forest Service Large Airtanker and Aerial Asset Firefighting Lease Pilot Program that is designed to provide the Forest Service a cost effective and reliable aerial firefighting capability. Research Title Reauthorizes Renewable Resources Extension Act through FY18 Horticulture Title Consolidates the Plant Pest and Disease Management and Disaster Prevention Program with the National Clean Plant Network (includes a network of clean plant centers for diagnostic and pathogen elimination services). Provides funding for the consolidated program at $62.5M for FY14-17 and $75M for FY18. With a funding floor of 5M annually for the National Clean Plant Network NASF letter of support for removing duplicative permitting requirements for the application of pesticides under the Clean Water Act The bill language does not address this issue 5

6 NASF supports codifying EPA's longstanding silviculture rule. It protects federal, state, county, tribal, and private forest roads from costly permit requirements or other point source regulation along with litigation expenses and citizen suit liability. Miscellaneous Provisions 1-year extension (through FY2014) of Payment in Lieu of Taxes program Codifies the EPA's longstanding silviculture rule. It protects federal, state, county, tribal, and private forest roads from costly permit requirements or other point source regulation along with litigation expenses and citizen suit liability. Does not limit authority for EPA to use non-permitting authorities under 402(p)(6) of the Clean Water Act. The Forestry Products Advanced Utilization Research Initiative provision has been moved from High Priority Research and is included as a separate provision in the Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998 to address research needs of the forestry sector and their respective regions 6