H_AGR_2016A 02/17/2016 10:10:41 AM Committee Summary

10:10 AM -- Call to Order



Representative Vigil called the meeting to order and announced that role call would not be taken because the hearing is not mandatory for committee members to attend.



10:11 AM -- Colorado Future Farmers of America



Emma Mortenson, State President, Future Farmers of America (FFA) and Whitney Mount, FFA Executive Committee, invited the committee to attend the FFA Hall of Fame of Colorado Agriculture banquet on February 18 following the Governor's Forum on Colorado Agriculture where the Colorado FFA Foundation will induct into the Farm Credit Colorado Agriculture Hall of Fame: Mr. Thomas Bradbury of Byers, Mr. Steve Gable, of Eaton, Mr. Harold Griffith of Fort Morgan, and Mr. Milan Rewerts, of Fort Collins.











10:15 AM -- Annual Forest Health Survey Report



Mike Lester, Colorado State Forester, Colorado State Forest Service (CSFS), described the role and activities of the CSFS and identified the sources of its budget including state and federal moneys and fee revenue. He discussed the 2015 Report on the Health of Colorado's Forests (Attachment A). He identified forests affected by native insects in Colorado including the Spruce Beetle and Mountain Pine Beetle and identified forests affected by invasive insects including the Emerald Ash Borer. He also discussed forest acres treated by the CSFS in 2015 and efforts to develop markets for Colorado's forest products.



160217 AttachA.pdf



10:23 AM



Jacque Buchanan, Deputy Regional Forester, Rocky Mountain Region, US Forest Service, identified USFS forests in Colorado and discussed cooperative forest management activities with the CSFS. She also identified the economic benefits of USFS lands in Colorado and discussed forest treatment projects in 2015 and upcoming treatment projects to be completed in 2016. She explained that Congress authorized the Good Neighbor Program to allow the CSFS to treat USFS lands and discussed programs to promote markets for Colorado's forest products. She also responded to questions from the committee about obstacles to increasing forest management on USFS lands in Colorado including budget limitations. She also discussed research on forest health and carbon sequestration and responded to questions from the committee about forest management on national monuments and USFS wilderness areas in Colorado.



10:44 AM



Mr. Lester and Ms. Buchanan responded to questions from the committee about upcoming CSFS forest health projects, efforts to increase forest management in Colorado including the development of markets for Colorado forest products, and the effect of fire suppression on forest health.



11:07 AM



Norm Bircher, Head Forester, Montrose Forest Products, Colorado Timber Industry Association, discussed Colorado's timber industry and how it can help improve forest health through forest management. He discussed the state of Colorado's forest and the risk of wildland fires. He also discussed the market for timber impacted by insects.





11:20 AM



Bjorn Dahl, Policy Chair, Society of American Foresters, discussed the condition of Colorado's forests and the risk of wildland fire (Attachment B). He also identified the benefits of forest management to improve the health of Colorado's forests and spoke in support of House Bill 16-1255 concerning the management of Colorado's forests for sustainable water supplies. Mr. Dahl responded to questions from the committee about measures to increase forest management in Colorado.



160217 AttachB.pdf



11:30 AM



The committee adjourned.