In 2020, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) announced its proposal to change the status of the red-cockaded woodpecker (Picoides borealis) from “endangered” to “threatened.” The bird had been listed as “endangered” under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) since its passage in 1973. The 4(d) rule associated with the downlisting included many caveats that…
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (the Service) is proposing to list the alligator snapping turtle as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act with a Section 4(d) rule to tailor “take” prohibitions. This proposal is one of many recently proposed species listings that provide exceptions in the 4(d) rule for forest management activities…
On November 24, 2021, the United States Department of Commerce announced anti-dumping and countervailing duties on Canadian softwood lumber producers, by doubling tariffs to 17.9% on their imports, more than twice the previously imposed rate of 8.9%. The actions were the final determination in the second administrative review of softwood lumber imports from Canada. The…
After years of muddied waters, the Trump Administration’s Navigable Waters Protection Rule, offered clarity and definition of what a “navigable water” is to the issue of Waters of the United States (WOTUS) and the Clean Water Act (CWA), brought relief to forest landowners, farmers, small businesses and others. However, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and…
Family-owned and operated businesses face several challenges when transitioning to the next generation of ownership, including navigating the tax code. As recent jobs reports indicate, the economy remains on delicate footing, and at a time when many families and private forestry businesses are still struggling with disaster recovery and flat stumpage prices, several proposals put…
Due to nationwide labor shortages in all workforces, the cap on H-2B temporary labor visas was reached on September 30, marking it the earliest point in time that the first half H-2B cap has ever been reached in program history. In response, FLA joined other forestry stakeholders in sending a letter to the Department of…
In 1952, Puerto Rico became an official part of the U.S., the “Today” show debuted on NBC and the cost of forestry practices in the south was first reported by Albert C. Worrell. That first report called “What does it Cost to Practice Forestry in the South?” was the first published (1953) survey of its…
After months of gridlock, late last Friday Congress passed the bipartisan $1.2 trillion Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which includes $555 billion in new funding for mostly “traditional” infrastructure (roads, bridges, etc.). However, the term “forest” is mentioned almost 200 times in the bill, making one thing clear – both parties agree that trees are…
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 21, 2021 Senators Warnock and Cassidy Emerge as Champions of Nations Forest Landowners WASHINGTON, DC – In the midst of Hurricane season and with wildfires still raging in the pacific northwest, the nation’s forest landowners are holding their breath hoping for a fix in tax code to help them recover after…
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 29, 2021 Bipartisan Tax Legislation Introduced to Help Forest Landowners Recover After Natural Disasters WASHINGTON, DC –The Forest Landowners Association (FLA) applauds the introduction of bi-partisan H.R. 4210: The Disaster Reforestation Act, sponsored by Rep. Terri Sewell (D-AL-07) and Buddy Carter (R-GA-01), which allows family and private timber growers to recover…