SB 6257-S - DIGEST

(AS OF SENATE 2ND READING 2/16/02)

     Finds that it is in the best interest of the trust beneficiaries to capture additional revenues while providing for additional environmental protection on timber sales.

     Finds that contract harvesting is one method to achieve these desired outcomes.

     Directs the department of natural resources to establish and implement contract harvesting where there exists the ability to increase revenues for the beneficiaries of the trusts while obtaining increases in environmental protection.

     Requires the board of natural resources to determine whether any special appraisal practices are necessary for logs sold by the contract harvesting processes, and if so, adopt the special appraisal practices or procedures.  In its consideration of special appraisal practices, the board of natural resources must consider and adopt procedures to rapidly market and sell any log sorts that failed to receive the required minimum bid at the original auction, which may include allowing the department to set a new appraised value for the unsold sort.

     Requires the board of natural resources to establish and adopt policy and procedures by which the department evaluates and selects contract harvesters.

     Appropriates the sum of two hundred fifty thousand dollars, or as much thereof as may be necessary, for the biennium ending June 30, 2003, from the resource management cost account to the contract harvesting revolving account for the purposes of this act.

     Appropriates the sum of two hundred fifty thousand dollars, or as much thereof as may be necessary, for the biennium ending June 30, 2003, from the forest development account to the contract harvesting revolving account for the purposes of this act.

     Requires the department of natural resources to provide a report to the appropriate committees of the legislature concerning the costs and effectiveness of the contract harvesting program.  The report must be submitted by December 31, 2005.