FORESTRY 411
2022 STATE LEGISLATIVE SESSION REPORT
Association lobbyist Jim Spratt reports that the end of the legislative session is near... well, maybe. This week has been a busy one as work continues on major policy issues, redistricting and the budget.

SAVE THE DATE!
The Florida Forestry Association will be hosting a "Forestry Event" for Wilton Simpson (current Senate President), who is running for Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services in November. The event is planned for Thursday, March 17th at 6pm, at the Lake Butler Community Center

A successful businessman, Simpson has grown his dad's egg farm into one of the largest poultry farms in the state and previously served on the State Board of the FL Farm Bureau. During his tenure as a state Senator, Wilton has been a staunch supporter of ag and forestry.

We hope everyone can join us in Lake Butler and have a strong show of support from Florida’s forestry community. A formal event invitation and details will be forthcoming.
MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS
Our first membership meeting of 2022 will be held on Wednesday, March 9, at South Prong Plantation in beautiful Baker County! The RSVP deadline has been extended to Monday, March 7. If you have not yet reserved your place, please contact Whitney now (Whitney@FLForestry.org or 850.222.5646)!
SECTION 404 SILVICULTURE EXEMPTION NOTIFICATION
Since the last update regarding the process for submitting the Silviculture Exemption Notice to a Water Management District (WMD), we have received additional information. We have listed suggestions below:

Option 1:
Whether on a cover letter (for mailed NOIs) or somewhere on the online application (if submitting online), you must include the following statement: "This activity is exempt under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act and (insert ‘landowners name) does not desire a Section 404 review."

Option 2:
Submit the Notice without the cover letter, as was the previous practice. If you receive the following questions (or something similar) from a WMD in response to your submittal, you should answer as follows:

Question: Would you like a Section 404 co-review with FDEP?
Answer: No, I would not like a Section 404 co-review with FDEP.

Question: Would you like a letter verifying that this application meets the exemption?
Answer: No, I am not requesting a letter verifying that this application meets the exemption requirements - this is notification as per 62-330.0511
 
Note: You may or may not receive either of these questions following your Notice submittal, depending on the WMD reviewer.

If you have any questions, concerns or other problems regarding the Silviculture Exemption Notice to any WMD, please contact Brittany Hough, Director of Forestry and Regulatory Affairs (Brittany@FLForestry.org or 850.222.5646).

BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDATIONS
The Association is currently seeking recommendations for members for its Board of Directors.

If you would like to recommend someone for consideration, please contact Alan Shelby (Alan@FLForestry.org or 850.222.5646).
2022 FLORIDA FORESTRY TEACHERS TOUR ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS
Educators statewide are encouraged to apply for an exciting opportunity this summer, the Florida Forestry Teachers Tour. The annual tour brings educators from throughout the state to Northeast Florida for an inside look at the state’s largest agricultural commodity.

The tour is scheduled for June 21–24, 2022. Applications will be accepted through March 11.

The Florida Forestry Teachers Tour is designed to provide educators with an opportunity to learn how the industry meets the needs of the state’s communities and environment, from clean air and water to home goods and other wood products.

“The Florida Forestry Teachers Tour is one of the best tools we have to make the next generation aware of the importance of Florida’s forests and the career opportunities they provide,” said Erin Albury, State Forester and Director of the Florida Forest Service.

TAX TIPS
The dedicated forest business extension specialists at the University of Florida, the University of Georgia and the US Forest Service are once again providing tax help to forest landowners. To help you understand the forestry specific tax provisions and how the general tax rules apply to your forestry activities, here are the Tax Tips for Forest Landowners for the 2021 Tax Year
LOOKING TO SAVE SOME BUCKS?
Partnering with Outdoor Underwriters, Inc., the Association offers our members special reduced rates for liability insurance for hunting leases and timberland.
 
CALENDAR OF EVENTS

MEMBERSHIP MEETING
March 9, 2022
11:30 AM Eastern
Glen St. Mary, FL

MEMBERSHIP MEETING
March 30, 2022
11:30 AM Central
Campbellton, FL

May 3-4, 2022
8 AM-5 PM Eastern
Florida Gateway College
Lake City, FL

July 14, 2022
8 AM-12 PM Eastern
Virtual

September 22, 2022
8 AM-12 PM Eastern
Virtual

October 22, 2022
8 AM-12 PM Eastern
Virtual

December 8, 2022
8 AM-12 PM Central
Blountstown, FL
Unsubscribe: Please note that if you unsubscribe to Forestry 411 via the link below, you will be unsubscribed from all of the Association's emails. If you wish to be removed from the Forestry 411 mailing list only, please email your request to Lee Ann Fisch by clicking here.