FORESTRY 411
FEDERAL ISSUES OF IMPORTANCE:

SAFE ROUTES PROVISION
Senator Ron Johnson (R-WI) has introduced an amendment to the Senate Infrastructure bill. The amendment would include the provisions of the Safe Routes act to improve safety and efficiency of hauling logs, pulpwood, chips and biomass.
 
Please email your Senators and urge them to support Amendment 2244 to the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.




IMPORTANT REMINDER:
PANDEMIC ASSISTANCE FOR TIMBER HARVESTERS & HAULERS
As part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Pandemic Assistance for Producers initiative, up to $200 million has now been made available to provide relief to timber harvesting and timber hauling businesses that have experienced losses due to COVID-19. The Pandemic Assistance for Timber Harvesters and Haulers program (PATHH) is administered by the USDA's Farm Service Agency (FSA) in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service.

Timber harvesting and hauling businesses that have experienced a gross revenue loss of at least 10% during the period of Jan. 1 and Dec. 1, 2020, compared to the period of Jan. 1 and Dec. 1, 2019, are encouraged to apply.

Eligible loggers and truckers can apply for assistance through FSA through Oct. 15, 2021.

Visit farmers.gov/pathh for more information on how to apply.

REMINDER TO SUPPORT THE DISASTER REFORESTATION ACT
The Disaster Reforestation Act (H.R. 4210) would help family and private landowners recover from the loss of timber due to natural disasters and to reforest their lands by fixing the tax code to allow landowners to deduct the fair market value of their destroyed timber.

You can easily contact your congressional representative to ask for their support of this important legislation by using the Forest Resources Association's action network. Simply click here!

FOREST CARBON DATA VISUALIZATION
Government data shows that private working forests provide 72% of gross annual carbon sequestration and more than half of our nation's forest carbon storage. The National Alliance of Forest Owners has developed an interactive data visualization that shows a comprehensive picture of how U.S. forests and forest products are fighting climate change.

THE 411 ON UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS IN FLORIDA
We have recently received questions about the status of unemployment benefits in Florida, so we wanted to make sure our members have the latest information.

As part of the COVID-relief package, the federal government offered a $300 weekly supplement to states' unemployment benefits. The program is scheduled to expire September 5, but Governor Ron DeSantis joined several other states in ending those benefits earlier this summer.

In response, ten Florida residents have sued Governor DeSantis. The lawsuit is pending. Two other states who faced similar litigation, Maryland and Indiana, have been ordered to resume payments of the federal benefits.
TWO GOLDEN OPPORTUNITIES TO BE AN ANUUAL MEETING SPONSOR
Only two spots are left for Gold sponsorships at the 2021 Annual Meeting & Trade Show:

As as gold sponsor you receive:
• Logo recognition in Annual Meeting promotions
• Company logo on website
• Exclusive sponsor signage specific to event sponsorship
• Half page b/w ad* in Annual Meeting program
• Sponsor level recognition on website, Facebook page, event promotions, program and signage

Contact Whitney Hough: 850.222.5646 or Whitney@FLForestry.org
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
AUGUST 31-SEPTEMBER 2, 2021
Annual Meeting
Sheraton Panama City Beach Golf and Spa Resort
Panama City Beach, FL

SEPTEMBER 1, 2021
4-5 PM CDT
Board Meeting
Sheraton Panama City Beach Golf and Spa Resort
Panama City Beach, FL
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