BIOMASS AND BIO-FUELS
The NCFA believes that the state’s forests can and should play a significant role in supplying woody biomass for energy solutions. We recognize that healthy productive forests depend on having strong markets for wood and wood products. By providing expanded market opportunities, biomass energy can provide an additional incentive to private landowners to keep their land in forest and to expand the management of the resource. In order to insure the long-term sustainability of the forest resource, it is essential that the state of North Carolina and the Nation embrace policies that support the economic and environmental benefits coming from healthy and productive forests. Evolving energy policies and management of the nation’s forests should support and not undermine such policies. We support energy initiatives that improve the environment, minimize economic distortions and maximize the vitality of our forests and the communities and industries that depend on them. We believe that market forces should be the primary stimulant for the use of wood and wood waste as a renewable fuel source and for determining fuel choices for energy generation. To the degree that government policies stimulate increased use of wood fiber for fuel, the government should increase the supply and availability of wood fiber from state and federal lands to help meet the added demands for wood. Further, existing companies that produce energy from woody biomass should not be disadvantaged by government incentives available to new businesses. And further, existing companies that already produce energy from woody biomass and seek to expand their biomass energy capacity should be equally eligible for government incentives as new businesses.
On October 9, 2009 the NCFA Board of Directors approved the following recommendations for its Biomass Harvesting Task Force related to the definition of “biomass” and the need for additional actions related to harvest. Definition of Biomass: NCFA supports the definition of renewable biomass as contained in the 2008 Farm Bill. Biomass Harvesting: The Board does not believe that additional harvesting guidelines restrictions, mandates or BMP’s for biomass are warranted or necessary at this time. Note: This could change over time depending on research findings or field operations that point to a need for additional actions.
Canadian
Lumber Imports
The North Carolina
Forestry Association strongly supports an end to unfairly subsidized lumber
imports from Canada that are having a devastating impact on United States
landowners and lumber producers. Until Canada ends these subsidies through
open and competitive timber sales, we urge the United States government to
take any necessary actions, including the extension of the softwood lumber
agreement and/or the imposition of countervailing duties, to protect
American landowners and lumber producers.
Clearcutting
The NCFA supports the
use of the harvesting method commonly known as clearcutting as one of
several ways of harvesting timber. Like most practices, positive and
negative impacts exist. Research has shown that
clearcutting is a very effective and efficient way of harvesting timber and
preparing a site for regeneration. Almost all of the commercial species of
timber in the state require full sunlight for optimum growth. The complete
removal of a stand allows full sunlight to reach the forest floor and
stimulate new growth. Properly done, this method of harvest does not cause
significant soil erosion or sedimentation. A timber harvest,
particularly a clearcut, is seldom pretty and may cause "visual
pollution" for some people. Alternative methods of harvesting should be
examined and, if economical and appropriate, used in those areas with high
scenic values.
Endangered
Species - Reauthorization of the Endangered Species Act
The Endangered Species
Act has provided a mechanism for protecting and rebuilding the populations
of certain threatened and endangered species. However implementation of
the current law does not provide for adequate consideration of human
impact of the economic costs associated with compliance with the act. The NCFA supports
reauthorization of the Endangered Species Act provided that it contains
adequate provisions for balancing human and economic impacts with the
benefits and requirements of protecting a particular species.
Expansion
of Wood Processing Facilities in North Carolina
The North Carolina
forest products industry, as represented through the NCFA, is united in
its belief that new wood processing facilities will provide additional
market opportunities and forest management options for private landowners.
Markets for wood, particularly for previously unmerchantable material,
provide essential financial returns and incentives to private landowners
to improve and enhance their forest management programs.
The forest industry is
also united in its belief that improved markets, coupled with research,
accurate forest inventory data and comprehensive landowner education
programs, are essential to assure the long-term health and productivity of
the state’s forest resources. With regard to landowner education, the
industry is committed to assuring that forest landowners are aware of their
forest management options, have access to professional assistance and make
informed decisions regarding the management of their forests.
Increased
Funding for the Forest Development Program
The NCFA supports
increased state appropriations to the Forest Development Program. The state
should match the forest products industry’s contribution dollar for dollar
based on the previous year’s tax collection. Further, we support expanding
allowable cost-share practices to include necessary hardwood management
practices.
National
Forests - Role of the National Forests in North Carolina
The NCFA believes the
national forests must serve a multitude of purposes to satisfy the needs
of the public. Years of research have demonstrated that forests can be
productively managed for recreation, wildlife, water resources and timber.
Providing a continuous and stable supply of timber to help meet demands
for wood and wood products is an important function of these lands. The
forest industry in western North Carolina is dependent on the national
forests for a substantial amount of its raw material demands. Without a reliable supply
of wood from these lands, there is a risk of overcutting private timberlands
and the eventual demise of the industry in this part of the state.
Notification
of Timber Harvest
The NCFA generally
opposes any notification of timber harvest scheme, at least until reliable
data or other substantive information is provided that clearly shows that
(1) there is a real problem that needs to be addressed, (2) notification of
timber harvest is the most efficient and equitable way to fix the problem
and (3) such a program can be effectively implemented, i.e. the enforcement
agency has adequate resources to carry out the program.
Pesticide
Use in Forest Management
The NCFA supports the safe use and
application of pesticides in forest management. When applied under EPA-approved
label instructions, pesticides used in forestry are environmentally safe.
While pesticides represent
an important tool in forest management, they should not be used
indiscriminately or on every site. Care must be taken to protect water
quality and wildlife resources from inadvertent exposure to pesticides.When using pesticides,
applicators should comply fully with all state and federal regulations.