Position Statements
Best Management Practices
Texas Forestry Association (TFA) supports the implementation of non-regulatory forestry best management practices (BMPs) to minimize nonpoint source pollution. BMPs are based on scientific research and provide uniform guidance to forest landowners and operators on how to comply with the overall nonpoint source management program administered by the Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board, under the requirements of the Agricultural Code of Texas.
BMPs generally address timber harvesting, road construction, site preparation, tree planting and other normal forestry activities. BMPs also serve to maintain the productivity and sustainability of forested sites and should continue to serve as the foundation for practicing good forest stewardship.
TFA supports retaining the non-regulatory framework of the Clean Water Act and Coastal Zone Management Act as the most effective and efficient means of minimizing the impact of forestry operations on water quality, wetland areas, and coastal resources.
TFA supports the continued exemption of normal silvicultural practices from Clean Water Act Section 404 permit requirements and encourages the use of non-regulatory BMPs in wetland areas as the means of protecting wetland systems.
TFA is committed to working with state and federal resource agencies as the BMPs are updated as part of the 1990 Coastal Zone REAUTHORIZATION Act and upcoming amendments to the Clean Water Act. TFA will promote voluntary implementation of BMPs by all landowners through education and incentive programs to ensure that sustainable forest management is effectively integrated with environmental protection objectives.
Last Revision Date: 7/17/2007
Capital Gains
TFA opposes legislation that would create a new special class of private property purchaser through tax favoritism. TFA opposes any tax subsidy that would provide a capital gains tax reduction to those selling private property to government or land trusts for conservation purposes. This type of tax favoritism would place purchasers of private property at a disadvantage when engaged in a competitive bidding process.
Adopted: 10/24/2007
Timber Tax Reform
TFA supports federal legislation that would correct the competitive imbalance imposed by the U.S. tax system relative to the more favorable rules for timber investments in most competing nations. The Timber Revitalization and Economic Enhancement (TREE) Act, HR 1937, reverses the trend of decreasing U.S. competitiveness in the forest products industry by: 1) Providing a 60-percent deduction for qualified timber gain, which results in a maximum tax rate on such gain of 14-percent for both individuals and corporations; & 2) Provides for modernization of the Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) rules for timber property.
TFA supports passage of the TREE Act.
Adopted: 10/24/2007
Herbicide/Pesticide Use
Herbicides, insecticides, and fungicides are essential for effective and economical reforestation in Texas.
TFA supports the use of herbicides and other pesticides when applied according to the label and in compliance with non-regulatory Best Management Practices for forestry purposes.
TFA opposes the removal of methyl bromide as a fumigant in forest seedling nurseries until such time a suitable replacement can be identified.
TFA is committed to working with the Texas Department of Agriculture to ensure that reasonable guidelines are developed for the use of pesticides so they do not pose a significant risk to endangered species or the environment and that guidelines for use of pesticides do not unnecessarily hamper forestry operations.
Adopted: 10/24/2007
Property Tax On Private Forest Lands
TFA supports the continuation of the concept of taxing forest and agricultural lands on their ability to produce, i.e. - current use values opposed to highest and best use. The timber use and agricultural use value concepts have proven to be effective in maintaining those lands in agricultural and timber related uses, which better protects environmental stability.
TFA also supports the tax incentives for qualified forest zones and regenerated timberland to encourage reforestation, afforestation and the preservation of non-timber values (i.e. water quality, critical wildlife habitat and protection of historic/scenic areas).
We believe that taxation of qualified timberlands by methods other than their productivity capability will result in escalating property tax values eventually forcing a decline in available natural resources, and the benefits they provide to society at little, if any, cost to the public.
Adopted: 10/24/2007
Red-Cockaded Woodpecker And Timber Harvesting In The National Forest
Texas Forestry Association opposes any restrictions on timber harvests in the National Forest which are not based on valid scientific data.
We support U.S. District Court Judge Richard Schell’s September 30, 2003 decision to lift the moratorium on clearcutting within 1,200 meters (3/4 mile) of red-cockaded woodpecker clusters. There appeared to be no conclusive evidence to substantiate this policy, which was inconsistent with current knowledge of the biological requirements of the species.
Now, management of red-cockaded woodpecker populations can be guided by the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service recovery plan for species. The USDA Forest Service is currently following this plan (based on scientific studies) as the basis for their management activities.
TFA firmly believes that forest management and the administration of wildlife resources, especially endangered species, should be based on scientific information and left up to professional wildlife biologists and professional foresters employed for that purpose.
Adopted: 10/24/2007
Reforestation Programs
TFA supports the reforestation efforts on private ownerships. Recognizing the fundamental importance of renewing a vital natural resource, incentive programs such as the laws passed by the Texas Legislature over the past several years that provide significant tax incentives for planting trees on agricultural open-space lands and on timber lands that have been harvested promote the cause of forest regeneration and augments tree planting efforts in the state.
TFA supports the reauthorization of the Farm Bill and the Forestry Titles which require states to set priorities for forestry assistance programs. TFA supports the allocation of EQIP funds that recognize and encourage tree planting on privately owned timber lands.
The benefits of a growing forest to the environment, the economy, and to society are numerous. Replanting efforts insure the availability of paper, wood and wood by-products for the future. They help maintain water quality, prevent soil degradation and provide wildlife habitat as well as recreational opportunities.
Adopted: 10/24/2007
Southern Pine Beetle Control
TFA strongly encourages the prompt control of expanding southern pine beetle infestations on public and private lands. This beetle causes millions of dollars worth of damage annually to pine timber in the southern United States. At present there are two environmentally sound and cost effective control measures to halt the spread of active, expanding southern pine beetle infestations. The preferred control method is to cut and remove (salvage) all beetle-infested timber plus a horseshoe-shaped buffer of uninfested trees around the leading edge of the infestation. When salvage control is not feasible, cut-and-leave is recommended. With this control method, infested trees and the uninfested buffer (as mentioned above) are cut in a prescribed manner and the trees are left in the woods. When properly applied in a timely manner, both of these direct control methods are effective in halting the expansion of individual southern pine beetle infestations. Read more about cut and remove and cut and leave.
When left uncontrolled, an active southern pine beetle infestation threatens adjacent pine timber and may spread to timber on adjoining property. Under the right stand and weather conditions, an uncontrolled infestation can consume several thousand acres of pine timber in a 6-8 month period.
Proactive prevention treatments for southern pine beetle can greatly reduce losses caused by this insect.Ê Well managed pine forests that are thinned periodically are known to deter the establishment and expansion of southern pine beetle infestations and TFA always encourages good forest management.
TFA also supports continuing research on biological and chemical control of the southern pine beetle.
Adopted: 10/24/2007
Loss Of Land Base Due To Water Impoundments
Texas Forestry Association (TFA) recognizes the seriousness of the future demands on our state’s water resources and do applaud the efforts of the regional water planning groups and the State Water Development Board in developing a long range water plan that encompasses water conservation and other appropriate measures to ensure that the citizens, agricultural/forestry operations and industries of this state have adequate water supplies available.
TFA is concerned that the identified water reservoirs in addition to the mitigated land required for these projects in East Texas will unnecessarily remove large acres of a land base that will destroy future economies and local communities. TFA opposes the construction and the funding of water impoundments in East Texas, unless such projects have been adequately justified and are supported by the agricultural communities in the affected rural communities. TFA’s concern’s are as follows:
- The loss of valuable timberlands and the land base that supports a key renewable natural resource.
- The loss of future timber production from these lands.
- The continued loss of valuable bottomland hardwood as wildlife habitat and other environmental benefits.
- The usurpation of private timberland ownership in favor of ownership by governmental or quasi-governmental entities.
- The loss of property taxes.
- The loss of land to mitigation.
TFA supports and encourages the state to study other sources of water supplies and conservation measures in lieu of future water reservoirs. TFA suggests that the following steps be taken before any water impoundments are considered:
- Utilize existing reservoirs, encourage water conservation and reuse prior to considering new reservoirs.
- The state should support research and tax incentive programs that focus on desalination.
- The state should impose water conservation and rate structure measures in areas of the state where water shortages are expected.
- The future economic and socioeconomic impacts on the local communities, industries, taxing entities, landowners, agricultural and forestry operations must be considered.
- Landowners should be compensated with annual rental payments until the reservoir is constructed and should have the right to royalties from the sale of water from the reservoir.
- Landowners should have the opportunity to sign conservation easements instead of having the land condemned for mitigation purposes.
- Water regions supporting the construction of the reservoir should share in the mitigation required for the project based on the percentage of water controlled by that region.
Adopted: 10/24/2007
Wild And Scenic Rivers
TFA opposes the designation of rivers under the National Wild & Scenic River (NW&SR) Act. The NW&SR Act was signed into law in 1996. Under the provisions of the act the term river means a flowing body of water or estuary or a section, portion or tributary thereof, including rivers, streams, creeks, runs, rills and small lakes. Therefore any waters going into the designated watershed would come under federal management control. The Act also states that the boundaries of any river proposed in Section 5 of the act shall generally comprise that area measured within one quarter mile from the ordinary high water mark on each side of the river. In Section 6 of the act the acquisition procedures allow for condemnation to clear title or to acquire scenic easements or such other easements necessary to give the public access to the river and to permit its members to traverse the length of the area or of selected segments of the river.
TFA opposes this designation for the following reasons: 1) Designation would limit the economic growth of our local and rural communities; 2) Designation would infringe on private property rights of landowners; 3) Designation would limit the use of the land for agricultural and forestry practices; & 4) Designation would add to the federal regulations imposed on local communities and landowners in East Texas.
Adopted: 10/24/2007
25 x 25 Alliance
The current and future risks to U.S. energy security are mounting; domestic and global energy demands are growing exponentially; environmental and health concerns and risks associated with fossil based fuel sources are escalating; solar, wind and biomass can be captured and/or produced on the land mass managed by U.S. agriculture, forestry and horticultural industries; and technology and production capabilities allow America’s producers and processors to play a major role in insuring a fully sustainable U.S. energy system. Therefore, TFA supports the goal of the 25 x 25 program of producing 25% of America’s energy from renewable resources by the year 2025 and commits to exploring the contribution which forestry can make as producers of energy and to participate in bringing this vision to life.
Adopted: 10/24/2007
Eminent Domain
TFA supports changes to the state’s eminent domain law which would restrict an agency of government from using the power of eminent domain without first establishing proof that there is a public need for the land and documenting that there is no alternative available. The association also opposes the taking of land by eminent domain for recreational, environmental or private business purposes. TFA supports the position that landowners should be compensated for the value of their land and the timber resources on the land using both current and future values.
TFA supports legislation that requires those exercising eminent domain to make a good faith offer, and legislation that provides more adequate compensation to owners of property that is condemned which include royalty payments to the landowner. In addition, TFA supports legislation which returns to private ownership property acquired through condemnation for a stated purpose and not used for that purpose. TFA supports the position that the original landowner should be given the first option to re-purchase their property at the original sale price.
Adopted: 10/24/2007
Green Building
TFA supports the green building movement but opposes legislation that exclusively endorses only one rating system. TFA has concerns with the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design for Homes (LEED) rating system which discourages builders from using wood building materials by the way the program’s rating system is structured and does not recognize builders using wood from sustainably managed forest in the U.S. In addition, LEED recognizes the Forest Stewardship Council as the only wood certification program. The Sustainable Forestry Initiative(R) and the American Tree Farm System are not recognized in the LEED rating system. TFA supports legislation that recognizes both the LEED and the Green Globes rating systems.
Adopted: 10/24/2007
Alternative Energy
TFA supports reducing the United States dependence on traditional energy sources and becoming energy independent. In that regard, TFA encourages improved energy efficiencies in forest management, utilization, transportation, and manufacturing of forest products. TFA also encourages and supports the use of alternative, renewable cellulosic energy sources, particularly woody biomass, to achieve this objective.
Adopted: 10/22/2008