Title: An act relating to forest practices as they affect family forest landowners.

Brief Description: Concerning forest practices' impacts on family forest landowners.

Sponsors: Senators Doumit, Oke, Swecker, Morton and Rasmussen.

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Natural Resources, Ocean & Recreation: 2/16/05, 2/24/05 [DP-WM].

Ways & Means: 3/4/05, 3/7/05 [DP].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES, OCEAN & RECREATION

Majority Report: Do pass and be referred to Committee on Ways & Means.Signed by Senators Jacobsen, Chair; Doumit, Vice Chair; Oke, Ranking Minority Member; Hargrove, Spanel and Swecker.

Staff: Vic Moon (786-7469)

SENATE COMMITTEE ON WAYS & MEANS

Majority Report: Do pass.Signed by Senators Prentice, Chair; Doumit, Vice Chair; Fraser, Vice Chair; Zarelli, Ranking Minority Member; Brandland, Fairley, Hewitt, Kohl-Welles, Parlette, Pflug, Rasmussen, Regala, Roach, Rockefeller and Schoesler.

Staff: Brian Sims (786-7431)

Background: The pressures of urban growth are causing a gradual decline in small forest plots. These forest lands provide both economic benefit and open space. The legislature has often acted to provide methods to keep these lands in active management and timber production. Regulations, permit processes, and policies designed to foster family forestry is one of the directives to the Department of Natural Resources and the Forest Practices Board.

Summary of Bill: The legislature recognizes the importance of the long-term benefit of family forestry. The term small forest landowner is changed to family forest landowner. Family forest landowner does not include publicly held corporations, governmental entities, nonprofit organizations, or public utilities.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.

Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For: Customized forest planned and simplified rules would help keep family forests in production. The economy and the environment would benefit.

Testimony Against: None.

Who Testified: PRO: Pat McElroy, DNR; Stephen Bernath, Ecology; Bill Garvin, WFPA; Rick Dunning, Washington Farm Forestry; David Whipple, WDFW; John Stuhlmiller, Farm Bureau; Martin Flynn, Washington Farm Forestry.