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Agriculture:
Extend Forest Restoration Pilot Program

Our Position: support
Bill Number: SB071
Sponsor: Representative Scanlan and Senator Gibbs
Legislative Session: 2008

This bill would extend the repeal date of the forest restoration pilot program and the technical advisory panel until July 1, 2012.

Status

01/16/08 The bill was assigned to the Senate Agriculture Committee and the Appropriations Committee

01/31/2008 Senate Committee on Agriculture, Natural Resources & Energy Refer Amended to Appropriations

04/10/08 Passed the Appropriations Committee 

04/15/08 Passed Senate Second Reading

04/16/08 Passed Senate Third Reading

04/16/08 Introduced in House - assigned to House Agriculture and Appropriations Committees

04/18/08 Passed by the House Agriculture Committee

04/24/08 Passed House Appropriations Committee

04/28/08 Passed House Second Reading

04/30/08 Passed House Third Reading

05/02/08 Senate to Review House Amendments

Action Needed

Please contact your Senator and ask them to support SB 071.

To find your State Senator, go to: Project Vote Smart and enter your ZIP code.

To see a full copy of the bill as a PDF, go to SB 071.

Background

The Colorado Forest Restoration Act (HB07-1130) set up a pilot program to demonstrate community-based approaches to forest restoration. In the first year of the program it brought in $1 million dollars.

Within HB07-1130 there were different areas highlighted to promote forest restoration. First of all, was the goal of reducing the threat of large wildfires through the reduction of non-native species and restoring the natural ecosystem functions and structures, which includes the thinning of forests in some areas. Additionally, it focused on preserving old and large trees, replanting trees in deforested areas, and improving the use/value of small diameter trees.

The program also set up an advisory panel that consists of seven to eleven members. Within the panel many views are represented, including the Department of Natural Resources, Federal Land Management agencies, scientists, conservation interests, commodity interests and the local communities.

The program has performed their designated duties and is seeking an extension. SB071 would ensure that this program could continue to restore forests in Colorado.