January 2019 January 2019 January 2019 January 2019 Weathering the Storms Weathering the Storms Weathering the Storms Weathering the Storms—KFIA Annual KFIA Annual KFIA Annual KFIA Annual Meeting…...…………………………..…………...2 Meeting…...…………………………..…………...2 Meeting…...…………………………..…………...2 Meeting…...…………………………..…………...2 EPA and Army Propose New “Waters EPA and Army Propose New “Waters EPA and Army Propose New “Waters EPA and Army Propose New “Waters of the U.S.” Definition..………………........3 of the U.S.” Definition..………………........3 of the U.S.” Definition..………………........3 of the U.S.” Definition..………………........3 2019 Legislative Session Underway….3 2019 Legislative Session Underway….3 2019 Legislative Session Underway….3 2019 Legislative Session Underway….3 UK Forestry and National Resources UK Forestry and National Resources UK Forestry and National Resources UK Forestry and National Resources Extension Receives National Award…4 Extension Receives National Award…4 Extension Receives National Award…4 Extension Receives National Award…4 American Chestnut Restoration American Chestnut Restoration American Chestnut Restoration American Chestnut Restoration – Tedx Talk……………………………...…….…….4 Tedx Talk……………………………...…….…….4 Tedx Talk……………………………...…….…….4 Tedx Talk……………………………...…….…….4 Mark Your Calendars/Upcoming Mark Your Calendars/Upcoming Mark Your Calendars/Upcoming Mark Your Calendars/Upcoming Events…………………………………………….....4 Events…………………………………………….....4 Events…………………………………………….....4 Events…………………………………………….....4 Farm Bill Passes…....................................5 Farm Bill Passes…....................................5 Farm Bill Passes…....................................5 Farm Bill Passes…....................................5 2019 Legislative Session (Cont.)….......5 2019 Legislative Session (Cont.)….......5 2019 Legislative Session (Cont.)….......5 2019 Legislative Session (Cont.)….......5 Log a Load Supports Kentucky Log a Load Supports Kentucky Log a Load Supports Kentucky Log a Load Supports Kentucky Children’s Hospital Christmas…….……..6 Children’s Hospital Christmas…….……..6 Children’s Hospital Christmas…….……..6 Children’s Hospital Christmas…….……..6 Kentucky Leopold Conservation Kentucky Leopold Conservation Kentucky Leopold Conservation Kentucky Leopold Conservation Award Seeks Nominees…………...……….6 Award Seeks Nominees…………...……….6 Award Seeks Nominees…………...……….6 Award Seeks Nominees…………...……….6 KFIA Communicator of the Year KFIA Communicator of the Year KFIA Communicator of the Year KFIA Communicator of the Year Form………………………………………………….7 Form………………………………………………….7 Form………………………………………………….7 Form………………………………………………….7 106 Progress Drive, Frankfort, KY 40601 Tel: 502/695-3979 Fax: 502/695-8343 Website: www.kfia.org Bob Bauer, Executive Director [email protected]Michele Brewer, Administrative Assistant [email protected]“Serving the Industry Since 1965” “WEATHERING THE STORMS” KFIA ANNUAL MEETING APRIL 2-4, 2019 J oin us at the KFIA 54th Annual Meeting and find out what is happening not only in Kentucky but around the country. The past year has brought an improving econo- my and numerous changes related to export markets and concerns with log supply and wet weather. We have some excellent speakers lined up to discuss the current issues related to Chinese markets, weather, product demand and exciting news about market developments. In addi- tion to the expert speakers in each field, the program is full of activities and provides excellent opportunities for networking and meeting with exhibitors. The meeting will kick off Tuesday, April 2 with the John C. Smith Invitational Golf Scramble scheduled for the Marriot Griffin Gate Golf Course. The golf outing is a fun event that everyone enjoys and all golfers regard- less of abilities are invited to play. We will be glad to add you to a team or you can put together your own foursome. An evening Welcome Reception in the exhibit area will wrap up a busy day for those that want to get together for some fellowship and find out who came out on top in the golf scramble. The KFIA Board of Directors will also be meeting in the late afternoon. Wednesday, April 3 the exhibit area will be open all day long for networking. Also we will have speakers on tap to discuss bourbon demand, the White Oak Initiative and improving management on Kentucky Fish and Wildlife lands. The KFIA Business Meeting will be held in conjunction with the KFIA/KY Tree Farm Awards Luncheon where the new officers will be elected and outstanding individuals will be recognized for their achievements in the forest industry community. Following lunch the Communications/SFI committee meeting will have an open discussion on certification issues and funding of current projects by SFI members. The afternoon will start kicking up with free time for attendees to visit the always popular Robinson Lumber & Van Meter Insurance Hospitality Suite and Continued on Page 2
Transcript
January 2019January 2019January 2019January 2019
Weathering the StormsWeathering the StormsWeathering the StormsWeathering the Storms————KFIA Annual KFIA Annual KFIA Annual KFIA Annual Meeting…...…………………………..…………...2Meeting…...…………………………..…………...2Meeting…...…………………………..…………...2Meeting…...…………………………..…………...2
EPA and Army Propose New “Waters EPA and Army Propose New “Waters EPA and Army Propose New “Waters EPA and Army Propose New “Waters of the U.S.” Definition..………………........3of the U.S.” Definition..………………........3of the U.S.” Definition..………………........3of the U.S.” Definition..………………........3
UK Forestry and National Resources UK Forestry and National Resources UK Forestry and National Resources UK Forestry and National Resources Extension Receives National Award…4Extension Receives National Award…4Extension Receives National Award…4Extension Receives National Award…4
American Chestnut Restoration American Chestnut Restoration American Chestnut Restoration American Chestnut Restoration –––– Tedx Talk……………………………...…….…….4Tedx Talk……………………………...…….…….4Tedx Talk……………………………...…….…….4Tedx Talk……………………………...…….…….4
Mark Your Calendars/Upcoming Mark Your Calendars/Upcoming Mark Your Calendars/Upcoming Mark Your Calendars/Upcoming Events…………………………………………….....4Events…………………………………………….....4Events…………………………………………….....4Events…………………………………………….....4
Farm Bill Passes…....................................5Farm Bill Passes…....................................5Farm Bill Passes…....................................5Farm Bill Passes…....................................5
Log a Load Supports Kentucky Log a Load Supports Kentucky Log a Load Supports Kentucky Log a Load Supports Kentucky Children’s Hospital Christmas…….……..6Children’s Hospital Christmas…….……..6Children’s Hospital Christmas…….……..6Children’s Hospital Christmas…….……..6
Kentucky Leopold Conservation Kentucky Leopold Conservation Kentucky Leopold Conservation Kentucky Leopold Conservation Award Seeks Nominees…………...……….6Award Seeks Nominees…………...……….6Award Seeks Nominees…………...……….6Award Seeks Nominees…………...……….6
KFIA Communicator of the Year KFIA Communicator of the Year KFIA Communicator of the Year KFIA Communicator of the Year Form………………………………………………….7Form………………………………………………….7Form………………………………………………….7Form………………………………………………….7
oin us at the KFIA 54th Annual Meeting and find out what is happening not only
in Kentucky but around the country. The past year has brought an improving econo-my and numerous changes related to export markets and concerns with log supply and wet weather. We have some excellent speakers lined up to discuss the current issues related to Chinese markets, weather, product demand and exciting news about market developments. In addi-tion to the expert speakers in each field, the program is full of activities and provides excellent opportunities for networking and meeting with exhibitors.
The meeting will kick off Tuesday, April 2 with the John C. Smith Invitational Golf Scramble scheduled for the Marriot Griffin Gate Golf Course. The golf outing is a fun event that everyone enjoys and all golfers regard-less of abilities are invited to play. We will be glad to add you to a team or you can put together your own foursome. An evening Welcome Reception in the
exhibit area will wrap up a busy day for those that want to get together for some fellowship and find out who came out on top in the golf scramble. The KFIA Board of Directors will also be meeting in the late afternoon.
Wednesday, April 3 the exhibit area will be open all day long for networking. Also we will have speakers on tap to discuss bourbon demand, the White Oak Initiative and improving management on Kentucky Fish and Wildlife lands. The KFIA Business Meeting will be held in conjunction with the KFIA/KY Tree Farm Awards Luncheon where the new officers will be elected and outstanding individuals will be recognized for their achievements in the forest industry community.
Following lunch the Communications/SFI committee meeting will have an open discussion on certification issues and funding of current projects by SFI members. The afternoon will start kicking up with free time for attendees to visit the always popular Robinson Lumber & Van Meter Insurance Hospitality Suite and
then return to the Exhibit Hall to wrap up the days events with an exhibitor reception.
On Thursday, April 5 the last day of the meeting begins with breakfast in the exhibit area. The General Session will cover re-cent issues with hardwood market exports and tariffs and the weather affects on the wood products and forestry community throughout the region. The final topic will look at recent research and developments related to sawdust utilization that is taking place at the University of Kentucky.
Hotel and meeting registration information is enclosed. Hotel information needs to be sent directly to Embassy Suites by March 18, 2019 to obtain our convention rate of $142.95 per night (includes parking). If making reservations by phone, be sure to mention the KFIA Annual Meeting. To make reservations by phone call 859/455-5000. Online reservations visit:
To receive the membership rate please make sure your dues are paid up to date. Companies who are non-members may at-tend by paying a non-member registration fee or paying one years membership to the association and receive the member registra-tion fee. Registration fee includes meeting expenses, receptions, and awards luncheon. A limited number of exhibit spaces are still available; if you are interested in exhibiting or need addition-al information, please call the office at 502/695-3979 or visit www.kfia.org to download the exhibitor registration infor-mation.
We are looking forward to a great meeting in Lexington and hope to see all of our members in attendance. We have seen an increase in attendance and number of exhibitors over the past couple of years and look forward to continuing that trend.
Continued from Front Page - Annual Meeting
Page 3
EPA AND ARMY PROPOSE NEW “WATERS OF THE
UNITED STATES” DEFINITION
U
.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of the Army (Army) are proposing a clear, understandable, and
implementable definition of “waters of the United States” that clarifies federal authority under the Clean Water Act. Unlike the Obama administration's 2015 definition of “waters of the United States,” the proposal contains a straightforward definition that would result in significant cost savings, protect the nation’s navigable waters, help sustain economic growth, and reduce barriers to business develop-ment. “Our proposal would replace the Obama EPA’s 2015 definition with one that respects the limits of the Clean Water Act and provides states and landowners the certainty they need to manage their natural resources and grow local economies,” said EPA Acting Administrator Andrew Wheeler. “For the first time, we are clearly defining the difference between federally protected waterways and state protected waterways. Our simpler and clearer definition would help landowners understand whether a project on their property will require a federal permit or not, without spending thousands of dollars on engineering and legal professionals.”
The agencies’ proposal is the second step in a two-step process to review and revise the definition of “waters of the United States” consistent with President Trump's February 2017 Executive Order entitled “Restoring the Rule of Law, Federalism, and Economic Growth by Reviewing the ‘Waters of the United States’ Rule.” The Executive Order states that it is in the national interest to ensure that the nation's navigable waters are kept free from pollution, while at the same time promoting economic growth, minimizing regulatory uncer-tainty, and showing due regard for the roles of Congress and the states under the Constitution. R.D. James, Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works stated. “I have heard from a wide range of stakeholders on Clean Water Act implementation challenges. This proposed definition provides a common-sense approach to managing our nation's waters.”
The agencies’ proposed rule would provide clarity, predictability and consistency so that the regulated community can easily under-stand where the Clean Water Act applies—and where it does not. Under the agencies’ proposal, traditional navigable waters, tributaries to those waters, certain ditches, certain lakes and ponds, impound-ments of jurisdictional waters, and wetlands adjacent to jurisdictional waters would be federally regulated. It also details what are not “waters of the United States,” such as features that only contain water during or in response to rainfall (e.g., ephemeral features); groundwater; many ditches, including most roadside or farm ditches; prior converted cropland; stormwater control features; and waste treatment systems. The agencies believe this proposed definition appropriately identifies waters that should be subject to regulation under the Clean Water Act while respecting the role of states and tribes in managing their own land and water resources. States and many tribes have existing regulations that apply to waters within their borders, whether or not they are considered “waters of the United States.” The agencies’ proposal gives states and tribes more flexibil-ity in determining how best to manage their land and water resources while protecting the nation’s navigable waters as intended by Congress when it enacted the Clean Water Act.
2019
KENTUCKY
LEGISLATIVE
SESSION
UNDERWAY
T
he Kentucky State Legislature got underway during the first full week
of January and will return in early February to complete the short 30 day session. Three major issues standout as areas of potential agreement between House and Senate leaders: pensions, school safety, and non-profit tax clean-up.
Kentucky continues to have one of the worst funded Pension Programs in the nation and the reforms that were approved at the end of the 2018 Legislative Session were challenged by Attorney General Andy Beshear and struck down by the KY Supreme Court in December. A Pension Task Force has been appointed with the hope that some recommendations will result in legislation that will help keep the Pension System solvent.
Another high profile issue in the state is school safety. On January 23, 2018 a 15-year old student murdered two class-mates and injured 18 others at Marshall County High School. The incident prompted the creation of a School Safety Working Group, which frequently met all throughout the interim. The committee heard from a multitude of stakeholders, addressing topics ranging from school safety best practices to mental health engagement and intervention. That committee’s work will likely culminate in a comprehensive bill that will be a priority for both legislative chambers.
The final major issue will be looking at the legislative tax changes that led to the taxation of not-for-profit entities in 2018. Historically immune from taxation on ticket sales, auction items and memberships, non-profits suddenly found themselves with both the adminis-trative and competitive burdening of collecting and remitting many sales taxes. Almost immediately after this
Continued on Page 5
Page 4
MARK YOUR CALENDARS/
UPCOMING EVENTS
Kentucky Master Logger
3-Day Course
February 19, 20, 21 - Grayson Co. – Leitchfield – Cooperative Extension Service Office, 123 Commerce Dr., Leitchfield, KY
March 26, 27, 28 - Carter Co. – Grayson – Cooperative Extension Service Office, 94 Fairground Dr., Grayson, KY
UK FORESTRY AND NATURAL RESOURCES
EXTENSION RECEIVES NATIONAL AWARD
T
he University of Kentucky Forestry and Natural Re-
sources Cooperative Extension team recently won the Compre-hensive Family Forests Educa-tion Award presented by the National Woodland Owners Association and the National Association of University Forest Resources Programs. This is the second time the team has won this national award, which is presented to an educational institution that has delivered the most effective education program benefiting family forest owners over the past five years.
A family forest education program is a combination of educational materials, media, courses, workshops, events and/or electronic media, including applied research that supports those efforts. The award recognizes effective programs that address any or all aspects of forest resources management including silvi-culture, forest health, harvesting, forest and estate planning, business management and marketing. Jeff Stringer, chair of the Department of Forestry and Natural Resources in the UK College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, accepted the award on the team’s behalf.
“Forests comprise 50 percent of Kentucky, and 78 percent of the 12 million acres of forest is family owned. It is vital that these family forest owners are provided with information and education to help them make wise decisions to enhance the forest for their benefit and ultimately for the benefit of all Kentuckians,” he said. “I am proud of the tireless work conducted by extension profes-sionals in the Department of Forestry and Natural Resources. This national award highlights the quality and effectiveness of their program.” Information about the programs and resources UK Cooperative Extension offers for Kentucky woodland owners is available online at http://forestry.ca.uky.edu/extension-home.
Left to right, Chad Niman, Jeff Stringer, Matthew Springer, Briana Fortunato, Bobby Ammerman, Billy Thomas, Renee Williams, Laurie Taylor Thomas, Eric Gracey, Ellen Crocker, Terry Conners. Photo provided.
AMERICAN CHESTNUT
RESTORATION - TEDx
Talk
The American Chestnut Foundation continues to work at the national level to restore the American chestnut tree which used to be the dominant tree in our hardwood forests of Kentucky until the chestnut blight nearly wiped it out completely. Kentucky Chapter of the Chestnut Foundation member Rex Mann (pictured) recently completed a Ted Talk in Youngstown, Ohio that is a very pas-sionate plea as to why restoring the chestnut tree to our forests is so im-portant. Ted Talks are short talks that take place throughout the country in front of local audiences and cover a wide range of ideas and topics which are then posted for viewing on You Tube for everyone to learn about topics and issues.
Rex is retired from the US Forest Service and has always been very supportive of KFIA and forestry in Kentucky. His inspiring talk can be viewed at his link: https://youtu.be/zwvlY8Hll3c Please share the video with anyone that may be interested and if shared on social media please use the hashtag #TEDxChestnut which will allow for tracking where it is shared. The Foundation is getting very close to having a chestnut blight resistant strain of chestnut that will eventually mean the return of this great tree into our hardwood forests.
he U.S. House of Representatives passed the Agriculture Im-provement Act (H.R. 2), otherwise known as the Farm Bill, by
a vote of 369-47. This comes on the heels of Senate passage with a veto proof margin of 87-13. The legislation was then sent to the President where he signed it into law.
The Farm Bill includes language positively impacting issues of significant importance to the U.S. Hardwood industry:
1. Funding for U.S.D.A export promotion programs including the Foreign Market Development Program and the Market Access Program. The legislation reauthorizes and fully funds these two critical programs, which have been essential to develop-ing global markets for the hardwood industry.
2. Timber Innovation Act (TIA) provisions which support research and development of tall wood building technologies.
3. The Community Wood Energy Program will increase in scope and authorization for this key program will help create markets for hardwood sawmill residuals accumulating at our manufacturing sites.
4. Forest Management Reform measures, while not as extensive as we have advocated in the past would still help promote healthy management of our national forest lands, increased access for recreational activities, wildlife habitat development, reduction of forest fires, and economic health of the forest products industry. The reforms also expand Good Neighbor Authority which allows for counties, states and native tribes to enter into contracts for the purpose of managing and complet-ing needed maintenance in national forests.
Reauthorization of the Farm Bill has been a key issue for the Hardwood Federation for the last three years. The Federation and KFIA will continue to work with key legislators to ensure proper implementation and continued funding for essential programs. Thank you to all of you that worked with your members and elected officials on this very important bill.
unintended consequence of tax reform was realized, legislative leaders com-mitted to clarifying that it was never the intent of the legislature to tax not-for-profits.
No specific wood industry or forestry legislation was filed through the first week of the session. KFIA will be following all Legislative activity through-out the session and is looking at possible solutions to the prevent logging from being singled out for bonding on county roads and the potential to increase truck weights by adding an additional axle. Please contact the KFIA office if you have any questions on legislative issues and watch for legislative updates as the session moves forward in February.
Continued from Page 3 - Legislative Session
Page 6
LOG A LOAD SUPPORTS
KENTUCKY CHILDREN’S
HOSPITAL CHRISTMAS
L
og a Load provided funding and people to help make the Christmas
Winter Wonderland Store a big success this year. The Children's Hospital used donated funds to have available all types of toys that allowed hundreds of patient families to shop to enjoy the Christmas season. KFIA staff along with Chad Niman from the University Of Kentucky Forestry Department assisted parents in selecting presents for young patients and their siblings and getting them wrapped and delivered to their hospital rooms.
Thanks to donations from the com-munity and support from sponsors as well as all the volunteer wrappers, they were able to help over 250 patients in the hospital; providing toys to over 450 children (patients and siblings) this year!! Plus, even able to provide toys for the inpatient units to distribute on Christmas Day for kids!
The child life team worked very hard accepting over 120 donations, setting up the Winter Wonderland, escorting parents and ensuring that every child admitted to KCH, Peds Sedation/Outpatient, Hem/Onc Clinic, ED, and other areas received toys, and breaking down this event.
KENTUCKY LEOPOLD CONSERVATION
AWARD SEEKS NOMINEES
I f you know a Kentucky woodland owner who goes above and beyond in the care and management of natural resources now
is the time to nominate them for the 2019 Kentucky Leopold Con-servation Award. Sand County Foundation, the nation’s leading voice for conservation of private land, presents the Leopold Con-servation Award to private landowners in 14 states for extraordi-nary achievement in voluntary conservation. In Kentucky, the $10,000 award is presented with the Kentucky Agricultural Council and the Kentucky Association of Conservation Districts.
Given in honor of renowned conservationist Aldo Leopold, the award recognizes landowners who inspire others with their dedica-tion to land, water and wildlife habitat management on private, working land. In his influential 1949 book, “A Sand County Alma-nac,” Leopold called for an ethical relationship between people and the land they own and manage. Nominations may be submit-ted on behalf of a landowner, or landowners may nominate them-selves. The application can be found at: https://sandcountyfoundation.org/uploads/Kentucky-CFN-2019.pdf
The application deadline date is April 1, 2019. The committee prefers application materials to be sent electronically and can be emailed to [email protected].
Materials can be mailed to: Leopold Conservation Award
c/o Franklin County Conservation District 103 Lakeview Court Frankfort, KY 40601
The 2018 recipient of the award was Trunnell Family Farm from Utica and two Kentucky woodland owners have won the award over the past few years.
The Kentucky Leopold Conservation Award is made possible thanks to the generous support and partnership of Kentucky Agri-cultural Council, Kentucky Association of Conservation Districts, Kentucky Farm Bureau Federation, Kentucky Department of Agri-culture, Kentucky Corn Growers Association, Kentucky Depart-ment of Fish and Wildlife Resources, University of Kentucky Col-lege of Agriculture, Food and Environment, Kentucky Woodland Owner’s Association, Kentucky Tree Farm Committee, Kentucky Cattlemen’s Association, AgriBusiness Association of Kentucky, Kentucky Pork Producers, The Nature Conservancy in Kentucky, and the U.S Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service.
For more information on the award, please visit www.leopoldconservationaward.org.
Page 7
KFIA COMMUNICATOR OF THE YEAR
K
FIA is accepting nominations for our annual Communicator of the Year Award. We are looking for individuals that have made a difference by working to promote the wood
products industry and improve the face of forestry in Kentucky.
1. The nominee should be associated with issues in the wood products industry.
2. Must be actively involved in communications this year.
3. Nominee’s work should be on going; not just a one time performance of tree planting, or one article, or one
speech. This person should be a “messenger” for the wood products industry.
4. Nominee’s efforts should result in a better awareness and understanding of our wood industry.
5. Nominations can be for written or oral communication with youths, adults, civic clubs, letter writing campaigns, work with legislators, etc.
6. Deadline for entries is March 15, 2019. The entries should be mailed to: K F I A, 106 Progress Drive, Frankfort, KY 40601 or fax: 502/695-8343 or email: [email protected].
The recipient of this award will be invited to the associations Annual Meeting April 2-4, 2019 at the Embassy Suites Hotel in Lexington, KY. At the awards luncheon (April 3), the association will recognize the individual with an appropriate plaque. The association will pay the registration fee, lodging, and meals for the winner and spouse.
If there are questions, please contact the KFIA office at 502/695-3979. If more space is needed for information, please attach additional sheets of paper. ==============================================================================
Name of Nominee:_______________________________ Employer :_______________________________
Company Address/City/State/Phone:___________________________________________________________
Title & Job Responsibilities:__________________________________________________________________
