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Economic stimulus package should recognise importance of forestry
16/02/2009
The National Association of State Foresters (NASF) says it had hoped for more recognition, in the Senate-passed economic stimulus plan, for the part forestry has to play in creating green jobs and strengthening the economy.
NASF says it supported the House-passed version of the stimulus package as it provided flexibility to allow states to create green jobs in forestry in the following areas:
• Reducing the wildfire threat by removing hazardous fuels in at-risk regions
• Developing clean wood energy systems to help meet demand for an alternative to gas and oil to heat homes and power cars
• Carrying out tree inventories in urban areas to assess damage from diseases and insects
• Encourage the development of non-federal forests through reforestation, suppression of disease and insects and restoring water natural water supplies.
The NASF also says the money made available through the USDA State & Private Forestry Program should be available without the requirement for states to match the funding amount. Funding should also be available for a full range of projects in any geographical region to ensure the highest number of green jobs are created, says the NASF.
NASF says it supported the House-passed version of the stimulus package as it provided flexibility to allow states to create green jobs in forestry in the following areas:
• Reducing the wildfire threat by removing hazardous fuels in at-risk regions
• Developing clean wood energy systems to help meet demand for an alternative to gas and oil to heat homes and power cars
• Carrying out tree inventories in urban areas to assess damage from diseases and insects
• Encourage the development of non-federal forests through reforestation, suppression of disease and insects and restoring water natural water supplies.
The NASF also says the money made available through the USDA State & Private Forestry Program should be available without the requirement for states to match the funding amount. Funding should also be available for a full range of projects in any geographical region to ensure the highest number of green jobs are created, says the NASF.
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