PINES AND NEEDLES PINES AND NEEDLES www.FloridaForest.org 2013 LEGISLATIVE SESSION WRAP-UP Forestry and Agriculture Finish Strong The 2013 legislative session yielded positive results across the board for forestry and for the agricultural industry overall. Among other accomplish- ments, Greenbelt protection was strengthened; regulatory burdens were lifted; market playing fields were leveled. Equally important, no harmful legislation made it through the process. Alan Shelby, FFA’s executive vice president, credited House and Senate lead- ers for their hard work and support. “We’re very fortunate to have people in office who understand our issues and who appreciate our importance to the state,” he said. “Between the leadership and our sponsors, we could not have asked for a better team fielding our bills. Many thanks go to them for what they accomplished for forestry and for Florida this year.” Legislation That Passed Greenbelt/Ag Property Assessment – HB 1193 by Rep. Halsey Beshears This legislation strengthens the greenbelt statute by removing the following antiquated provisions that permit a property’s agricultural classification to be removed under the following conditions: • The landowner changes the zoning of the land; • Land classified as agricultural is surrounded by development and the county commission determines that it acts as a deterrent to further development; or • Agricultural land is sold and the purchase price of the land is three or more times the agricultural assessment. With the removal of these three provisions, the only remaining allowable cause for removal of an agricultural assessment is cessation of the property’s agricultural use. The bill also removes the ability of a value adjustment board to review the classifications made by the property appraiser, except at the landowner’s request. Ag Lands & Practices Act – HB 203 by Rep. Halsey Beshears This legislation expands the preemption from adopting or enforcing any ordinance regulating a farm or forestry operation beyond adopted BMPs from “counties” to “governmental entities”. Green Building Certification – HB 269 by Rep. Halsey Beshears This legislation removes the mandate that a single green building code be adopted for all public construction projects. It requires a green building code to be selected on a project-by-project basis instead. In addition, the bill requires Florida wood products to be considered first when wood is used in public construction projects. Continued on Page 3 Department of Agriculture – HB 7087 by Rep. Halsey Beshears This legislation addresses a number of issues related to agriculture and the powers and duties of the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (DACS). Of particular importance to the forest industry, the bill expands the authority of the Florida Forest Service (FFS) to authorize open burning; it also clarifies and reduces liability exposure for prescribed burning for both the FFS and the certified burner. The bill also directs DACS and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to enter into an agreement authorizing DACS to develop and adopt wildlife best management practices (BMPs). The legislation clarifies that these agencies have exclusive authority to adopt and enforce these voluntary measures. It also provides for DACS to manage and operate the Babcock Ranch hold- ings. Alternative Water Supply Development – SB 364 by Sen. Alan Hays Florida’s population growth has taxed our water resources. Florida’s forested lands can be part of the solution through surface water storage and aquifer recharge. This legislation provides for extended consumptive use permits for water utilities, which would enable them to raise bonded revenue to fund the infrastructure needs for alternative water supplies. Industrial Machinery & Equipment/Sales Tax Exemption – HB 7007 by Rep. Carlos Trujillo This legislation expands the sales tax exemption on machinery and equip- ment for new or expanding businesses, to all businesses. The exemption becomes effective April 30, 2014 and sunsets on April 30, 2017. Agritourism – SB 1106 by Sen. Alan Hays This legislation preempts local governments from regulating agritourism activities on land that is classified agricultural and would provide limited liability protection. Environmental Regulations – HB 999 by Rep. Jimmy Patronis This legislation streamlines the environmental regulatory process and eliminates costly redundancies. The bill states that permitted water alloca- tions cannot be changed when considering regional water supply planning; exempts farm ponds that are less than 15 acres with an average depth of no more than 15 feet from permitting requirements; restricts cities and counties in requesting additional information for permit applications; and clarifies elements of the state Environmental Resources Permit process. Numeric Nutrient Criteria – SB 1808 by Sen. Charlie Dean This legislation codifies the recent agreement between the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the Florida Department of Environ- mental Protection (DEP), authorizing DEP to implement state-adopted numeric nutrient criteria standards to address Florida’s water quality needs. Total Maximum Daily Loads – SB 1806 by Environmental Preservation This legislation exempts pollution reduction plans called “total maximum daily loads” from ratification by the state legislature.Total Maximum Daily Loads – HB 7157 by Ag & Natural Resources This legislation ratifies DEP pollution limits for mercury in water bodies. Military Installations – SB 1784 by Sen. Thad Altman This legislation authorizes the use of state conservation funding to purchase non-conservation lands when deemed necessary to maintain appropriate buffer zones around military installations. Ag Water Supply – SB 948 by Sen. Denise Grimsley This legislation establishes an agricultural water supply planning program within DACS, making the Department the clearinghouse for the data used by water management districts in developing regional water supply plans. Agricultural Lands – SB 1700 by Sen. Jack Latvala This legislation repeals the statutory requirement that the Department of Economic Opportunity map and monitor ag and forestry lands throughout the state. “Growing Through Change” Florida Forestry Associaon 2013 Annual Meeng September 3-5 Sawgrass Marrio, Ponte Vedra Beach May - June 2013 Volume 68, Issue 3 Official Publication of the Florida Forestry Association Post Office Box 1696 Tallahassee, FL 32302-1696 Address Service Requested Periodicals Postage Paid Tallahassee, FL
Transcript
PINES AND NEEDLESPINES AND NEEDLES
www . F l o r i d a F o r e s t . o r g
2013 LegisLative session Wrap-Up
Forestry and Agriculture Finish StrongThe 2013 legislative session yielded positive results across the board for forestry and for the agricultural industry overall. Among other accomplish-ments, Greenbelt protection was strengthened; regulatory burdens were lifted; market playing fields were leveled. Equally important, no harmful legislation made it through the process.
Alan Shelby, FFA’s executive vice president, credited House and Senate lead-ers for their hard work and support. “We’re very fortunate to have people in office who understand our issues and who appreciate our importance to the state,” he said. “Between the leadership and our sponsors, we could not have asked for a better team fielding our bills. Many thanks go to them for what they accomplished for forestry and for Florida this year.”
Legislation That PassedGreenbelt/Ag Property Assessment – HB 1193 by Rep. Halsey Beshears
This legislation strengthens the greenbelt statute by removing the following antiquated provisions that permit a property’s agricultural classification to be removed under the following conditions:
• The landowner changes the zoning of the land;
• Land classified as agricultural is surrounded by development and the county commission determines that it acts as a deterrent to further development; or
• Agricultural land is sold and the purchase price of the land is three or more times the agricultural assessment.
With the removal of these three provisions, the only remaining allowable cause for removal of an agricultural assessment is cessation of the property’s agricultural use.
The bill also removes the ability of a value adjustment board to review the classifications made by the property appraiser, except at the landowner’s request.Ag Lands & Practices Act – HB 203 by Rep. Halsey BeshearsThis legislation expands the preemption from adopting or enforcing any ordinance regulating a farm or forestry operation beyond adopted BMPs from “counties” to “governmental entities”.Green Building Certification – HB 269 by Rep. Halsey BeshearsThis legislation removes the mandate that a single green building code be adopted for all public construction projects. It requires a green building code to be selected on a project-by-project basis instead. In addition, the bill requires Florida wood products to be considered first when wood is used in public construction projects.
Continued on Page 3
Department of Agriculture – HB 7087 by Rep. Halsey BeshearsThis legislation addresses a number of issues related to agriculture and the powers and duties of the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (DACS).
Of particular importance to the forest industry, the bill expands the authority of the Florida Forest Service (FFS) to authorize open burning; it also clarifies and reduces liability exposure for prescribed burning for both the FFS and the certified burner.
The bill also directs DACS and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to enter into an agreement authorizing DACS to develop and adopt wildlife best management practices (BMPs). The legislation clarifies that these agencies have exclusive authority to adopt and enforce these voluntary measures.
It also provides for DACS to manage and operate the Babcock Ranch hold-ings.
Alternative Water Supply Development – SB 364 by Sen. Alan HaysFlorida’s population growth has taxed our water resources. Florida’s forested lands can be part of the solution through surface water storage and aquifer recharge. This legislation provides for extended consumptive use permits for water utilities, which would enable them to raise bonded revenue to fund the infrastructure needs for alternative water supplies.
Industrial Machinery & Equipment/Sales Tax Exemption – HB 7007 by Rep. Carlos Trujillo
This legislation expands the sales tax exemption on machinery and equip-ment for new or expanding businesses, to all businesses. The exemption becomes effective April 30, 2014 and sunsets on April 30, 2017.
Agritourism – SB 1106 by Sen. Alan HaysThis legislation preempts local governments from regulating agritourism activities on land that is classified agricultural and would provide limited liability protection.
Environmental Regulations – HB 999 by Rep. Jimmy PatronisThis legislation streamlines the environmental regulatory process and eliminates costly redundancies. The bill states that permitted water alloca-tions cannot be changed when considering regional water supply planning; exempts farm ponds that are less than 15 acres with an average depth of no more than 15 feet from permitting requirements; restricts cities and counties in requesting additional information for permit applications; and clarifies elements of the state Environmental Resources Permit process.
Numeric Nutrient Criteria – SB 1808 by Sen. Charlie DeanThis legislation codifies the recent agreement between the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the Florida Department of Environ-mental Protection (DEP), authorizing DEP to implement state-adopted numeric nutrient criteria standards to address Florida’s water quality needs.
Total Maximum Daily Loads – SB 1806 by Environmental Preservation This legislation exempts pollution reduction plans called “total maximum daily loads” from ratification by the state legislature.
Total Maximum Daily Loads – HB 7157 by Ag & Natural ResourcesThis legislation ratifies DEP pollution limits for mercury in water bodies.
Military Installations – SB 1784 by Sen. Thad AltmanThis legislation authorizes the use of state conservation funding to purchase non-conservation lands when deemed necessary to maintain appropriate buffer zones around military installations.
Ag Water Supply – SB 948 by Sen. Denise GrimsleyThis legislation establishes an agricultural water supply planning program within DACS, making the Department the clearinghouse for the data used by water management districts in developing regional water supply plans.
Agricultural Lands – SB 1700 by Sen. Jack LatvalaThis legislation repeals the statutory requirement that the Department of Economic Opportunity map and monitor ag and forestry lands throughout the state.
“Growing Through Change”
Florida Forestry Association 2013 Annual Meeting
September 3-5 Sawgrass Marriott, Ponte Vedra Beach
May - June 2013 Volume 68, Issue 3
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www . F l o r i d a F o r e s t . o r g
Timber Toppers Golf ClassicSuwannee Lumber Company is proud to sponsor our annual Timber Toppers Golf Classic on the beautiful Dye’s Valley course. Sign up for the tournament on the attached registration form for a great golfing experience and networking time with other forest professionals and friends. Tee-time is 8 AM, Wednesday, Sept. 4.
Golf is open to all FFA members and guests; meeting registration is not required to play in the tournament.
FFa 2013 annUaL Meeting: “groWing throUgh Change” septeMber 3-5, 2013, in ponte vedra beaChFFA’s annual meeting is shaping up to be one of the best ones yet! Held at the luxurious Sawgrass Marriott in beautiful Ponte Vedra Beach, the event offers a full slate of educational, recreational and networking opportunities.
Review the schedule and read about our session topics and speakers. Then register by filling out the attached form and mailing it to our office or regis-ter online on our website, www.FloridaForest.org.
register earLy to Win!We have 250 great reasons you should register early this year: All “early birds” who register by August 7 will be entered into a drawing for a $250 gift card from Bass Pro Shops! The drawing will be held at the annual meeting. Don’t miss out – register now!
6:30 AM Registration Desk Opens 6:30 AM Tee-Time Coffee @ Registration Lobby 6:30 AM Trade Show Set-Up 6:45 AM Continental Breakfast @ Golf Course 8:00 AM Golf Tournament 8:00 AM Group Fun Run-Walk10:00 AM Trade Show and Silent Auction Open ~ R. L. Lewis, Jr.: Highwaymen Painting Demo 2:00 PM General Session - Herschel Vinyard, DEP: Working Forests 3:15 PM General Session - Jim Karels, FFS: Forest Inventory Analysis 4:15 PM Board Meeting 6:00 PM Welcome Reception
Thursday, September 5, 2013
7:00 AM Early Bird Coffee 8:00 AM Awards Breakfast 10:00 AM Trade Show Social/Final Auction Bidding (closes at noon) 12:00 PM Trade Show Teardown 12:15 PM Master Logger Luncheon - Richard Schroeder, BioResource Mgt: New Wood Markets & Wood Project Development 1:00 PM Auction Item Pickup 1:30 PM General Sessions: •WMD Mission and Goals: Dr. Ann Shortelle (SRWMD), Jon Steverson (NWFWMD), and Hans Tanzler (SJRWMD) •Wildlife BMPs: Scott Sanders (FWC), Jeff Vowell (FFS) and Doug Rillstone (Broad & Cassel) •Gainesville Renewable Energy Center: Al Morales (GREC) 4:30 PM Florida Gateway College/UFSFRC Meeting 6:00 PM Low Country Boil
A.W. Powers Forestry, Inc. Axley Brothers Sawmill, Inc. BioResource Management, Inc. BradySquiers,CFP•MerrillLynchCallahan Timber Company Canal Wood, LLC Claude Crapps, III Coastal Plywood Company Cochran Forest Products Cooper Marine & Timberlands Corporation Dwight Stansel Farm & Nursery Elwood Geiger F4 Tech First Federal Bank of Florida Flag Credit Union Florida Forest Service Ford Properties Fulghum Fibres & Fulghum Indus-tries Gator Timber & Land, L.L.C. Glenn D. Storch, P.A. Great South Timber & Lumber, Inc.
Green Circle Bio Energy, Inc. Hancock Bank Hollinswood Ranch Hutson Land & Elkton Green John E. Anderson Land & Timber Services Group Loncala, Incorporated Miami Corporation Oldcastle Lawn & Garden Pinova, Inc. Resource Management Service Ring Power Corporation Robbins Forestry, Inc. RockTenn CP, LLC Southeastern Wood Producers Association St. Joe Timberland Company T & T Trailer Rental TD Bank The Forestry Company Timber Mart-South Usher Land & Timber, Inc. Whitfield Timber Company
SponsorsPlatinum Sponsor
Farm Credit
Akerman Senterfitt American Forest Management ArborGen Inc. Buckeye Florida F&W Forestry Services, Inc. Flint Equipment Company Forest Investment Associates Gainesville Renewable Energy Georgia-Pacific LLC International Paper
Natural Resource Planning Services, Inc. Nature Coast Timber Neal Land & Timber Packaging Corporation of America Promise Habitat Services, LLC Rayonier Inc. Southeast Forest Resources Rex Lumber Company Southern Forestry Consultants, Inc.
Gold Sponsors
Drummond Financial Group Suwannee Lumber Company
Silver Sponsors
Outdoor Underwriters, Inc.
Plum Creek Timber Company
Bronze Sponsors
Friend of Forestry Sponsors
www . F l o r i d a F o r e s t . o r g
Fire Code/Farm Buildings – SB 1122 by Sen. Wilton SimpsonThis legislation amends the Florida Fire Prevention Code, exempt-ing non-residential farm buildings from the fire code requirements.
Campaign Finance Reform – HB 569 by Rep. Rob SchenckThis legislation eliminates Committees of Continuous Existence (CCEs) and increases the amount that can be contributed to a candidate each election cycle, from $500 to $3,000 for statewide and Supreme Court campaigns and $1,000 for all other candidates.
Renewable Fuel Standard Act – HB 4001 by Rep. Matt GaetzThis legislation repeals the Florida Renewable Fuel Standard Act, which required all gasoline sold in Florida to be blended with ethanol fuel.
Replace Firefighter $780,000 $780,000 Communication Equipment
Firefighter Callback Overtime $135,172 $135,172
Rural & Family Lands $5.25M $11.1M Protection Program
DEPFlorida Forever Funding$70M ($20M in new funding, $50M from surplus land sales)
UF/IFASResearch & Extension was fully funded with an increase of about 3.4%.
From Page 1
Federal LegislationImmigration ReformOn Wednesday, June 19, the US Senate adopted the Merkley amend-ment to the Immigration Bill (S-744) on a voice vote. The amendment expands and intensifies requirements for reforestation contractors to advertise and promote treeplanting employment locally before applying for H-2B guestworker visas.
If it becomes law, this language will add to existing burdens for reforestation contractors using the H-2B Guestworker program. It will obstruct a vital program by adding unnecessary costs, delays, and risks to the business of keeping forest-dependent industries supplied.
Farm BillOn Thursday, June 20, Congress rejected the proposed farm bill, voting it down on a 195-234 vote. Had the legislation passed, it would have benefited forest owners in several areas. Highlights are below: · Codified EPA’s silviculture rule, providing certainty that forest roads would not require permits or other point source regulation;· Improved market opportunities for forest owners with the full Biobased Markets Program fix;· Increased access to conservation programs by removing the 10% forestry cap on CSP;· Maintained funding for invasive species programs; and· Ensured that forest owners can be an active part of regional con-servation initiatives and protected owners from additional regula-tory burdens.
The next steps for the farm bill are currently unclear. There seem to be two main options at this point: craft another bill for passage or extend the 2008 Farm Bill beyond its September expiration date.
Putnam: Expand Certification Program RecognitionFlorida’s Commissioner of Agriculture Adam Putnam has joined with other agricultural departments from across the South to ask the U.S. Green Building Council to expand the sustainable timber programs they recognize so that more southern timber can be used in environmentally friendly building projects.
“Forests in Florida and other southern states support jobs and generate billions for our economy,” Putnam said. “By opening up the process to allow more timber sales for green building projects, we will help our economy at home and put our growers on a level playing field with others across the nation and globe.”
The group is requesting the Council to allow trees certified from the American Tree Farm System (ATFS) and the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) to be included in the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system used nationally to recognize green projects. Currently, the Council only allows trees certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). All three programs promote conservation, sustainability and land stewardship.
We invite comments and suggestions. Let us know what you think by writing us at:
P.O. Box 1696, Tallahassee, Florida 32302; by phoning us at: (850) 222-5646;
Pines & Needles (ISSN 1091563x) (USPS 014-757) is published bimonthly by the Florida Forestry Association, 402 East Jefferson Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32301. Subscriptions through membership
only at an annual cost of $5 per member. Periodicals Postage Paid rate at Tallahassee, Florida.
