HB 1245 - DIGEST

(SUBSTITUTED FOR - SEE 2ND SUB)

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, to adopt the special appraisal practices or procedures.

Requires the board of natural resources to establish and adopt policy and procedures by which the department evaluates and selects certified contract harvesters. The procedures must include a method whereby a certified contract harvester may appeal a decision by the department or board of natural resources to not include the certified contract harvester on the list of approved contract harvesters.

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, 2006.

Appropriates the sum of two hundred fifty thousand dollars for the biennium ending June 30, 2005, 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 for the biennium ending June 30, 2005, from the forest development account to the contract harvesting revolving account for the purposes of this act.