2007 Farm Bill (Energy and Forestry Titles)

ENERGY TITLE IX

Biomass Research and Development Program

• Extends the Biomass Research and Development Program (Section 9008) through 2012
• The program provides competitive funding for research and development projects on biofuels and bio-based chemicals and products, administered jointly by the Secretaries of Agriculture and Energy. Biofuels from forest products and woody biomass are eligible for funding.
• Authorizes $200,000 for each of fiscal years 2006 through 2015.

Bioenergy Program

• Extends the program through 2012
• Provides payments to eligible producers to encourage increased purchased of eligible commodities to expand production of bioenergy. Forest products and woody biomass are considered "eligible commodities"

Approved Amendments

En Bloc provisions were adopted into the Farm Bill through House Resolution 574 which identified closing of an 'offshore tax loophole' as the funding source

Forest Biomass for Energy Program

• Establishes a USFS administered competitive research and development program to encourage use of forest biomass for energy
• Entities eligible to compete under this program include the Forest Service (through Research and Development), other Federal agencies, State and local governments, federally recognized Indian tribes, land grant colleges and universities, and private entities.
• Authorizes $15,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2008 through 2012

Hodes (D-NH) Amendment adds a "Community Wood to Energy Program"

Authorizes a USFS administered grant program for state and local communities and governments known as the "Community Wood Energy Program" to use low-grade biomass in comunity wood energy systems for state and locally owned businesses such as schools, town halls, and courthouses.

FORESTRY TITLE VIII

USDA Proposal

Community Forests Working Lands Program (Not Adopted)

Comprehensive Statewide Forest Planning (Adopted in Part) -- Sec. 8002 Long-Term, State-wide Assessments and Strategies for Forest Resources

States must do assessments of forest resource conditions as a requirement to receive funds for all Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act (CFAA) programs. Assessments coordinated among state forester or equivalent, state forest stewardship coordinating committee, state wildlife agency and state technical committee. Requires an annual state-wide forest resource strategy. Identifies state, regional, and national threats to forests like wildland fire, development pressure, and insects and disease.

Landscape Scale Competitive Grant Program (Adopted in Part) -- Sec. 8006 Competition in Programs Under Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act of 1978

Requires a portion of CFAA funds, as determined by the Secretary, be available competitively to State Foresters. State Foresters are the only eligible entity. Secretary to consult with new Forest Resource Coordinating Committee to determine competitive allocation of funds.

Forest Wood to Energy Program (Not Adopted) -- See 'En Bloc' Amendment: In Energy Title IX: "Forest to Bioenergy Research Program"

Renewable Resources Extension Activities (Not Adopted) -- See Research Title

Office of International Forestry (Adopted) -- Subtitle B -- Amendments to Other Laws; Sec. 8101 Office of International Forestry (Identical Language-- reauthorized through 2012)

Rural Revitalization Technologies (Adopted) -- Subtitle B -- Amendments to Other Laws; Sec. 8104 Rural Revitalization Technologies (Identical Language-- reauthorized through 2012. This authority is used to administer the Biomass Utilization Grants.

House Provision Not Included in USDA Proposal

Sec. 8001 National Priorities for Private Forest Conservation

Amends CFAA to establish 3 priorities:

1. Conserving and managing working forests
2. Protecting and restoring forests from a range of threats
3. Enhancing public benefits from private forests

Secretary must submit report on outcomes to Congress by 2011

*This is consistent wtih themes included in the State & Private Forestry redesign.

Sec. 8003 Assistance to the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau

Amends CFAA by striking "the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands" and inserting, "the federated State of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Republic of Palau."

Sec. 8004 Changes to the Forest Resource Coordinating Committee

Modifies and expands the Forest Resource Coordinating Committee at Secretary level to include the chiefs of USFS and NRCS, and administrators of FSA and CSREES. Non-federal representatives with 3-year terms include 3 state foresters or equivalent, a representative from a State technical committee, State Fish and Wildlife agency, NIPF owner, industry, conservation organizations, land grant universities, consulted, and others. Coordinates national efforts to NIPF landowners. Clarifies roles and responsibilites, advises on allocation of competitive funds, and provides annual report to Secretary of Congress.

*Elevates the role of the Chief as advocate for private forest lands. Raises visibility of private forests at a national level. Manager's amendment: Corrects errors in federal leadership componenet of FRCC structure. State technical committee representative was included in error. State technical representative is now a member of the 3-year term, non-federal representatives.

Sec. 8005 Changes to State Forest Stewardship Coordinating Committees

Replaces requirement for a statewide Forest Stewardship Plan with Statewide Assessment and Strategies for Forest Resources. State committees make recommendations on the Statewide assessment. Adds State Technical Committees.

Sec. 8007 Cooperative Forest Innovation Partnership Projects

No more than 5% of CFAA funding for innovative national, regional, or local education, outreach or technology transfer projects to meet national priorities. Funds are eligible to states, tribes, local government, land grant, or private entities.

*The Administration's Landscape Scale Competitive Grant Program is a much more robust program, targeting large scale projects.

Subtitle B - Amendments to Other Laws

Sec. 8101 Healthy Forest Reserve Program -- Reauthorized until 2010

Sec. 508 Funding -- Authorizes $17,000,000 in funding

* Administration proposed to be combined into the Private Lands Protection Program in the Conservation Title. PLPP would combine several land easement programs into one program.

Sec. 8102 Emergency Forest Restoration Program

Emergency Forest Restoration Program for NIPF owners to develop and implement plans who have sustained loss or damage to forest. Plan addresses reforestation, restoration, BMPs, and stewardship. Up to 75% cost share not more than $50,000/year per owner. Funding would be through an emergency supplemental.

Schuler (D-NC) Amendment:

Allows non-industrial private forest lands to be eligible for emergency restoration funds in the Secretary determines that insect or disease poses an imminent threat of loss or damage to those lands.

*Administration's Conservation Titel proposes to combine ECP and EWP. Does not include assistance for forest owners. Would facilitate the timely provision of assistance to NIPF owners by eliminating beed for new guidelines after an incident.

Subtitle C-- Miscellaneous Provisions

Sec. 8201 Hispanic-Serving Institution Agricultural Land National Resources Leadership Program

Competitive grants to Hispanic serving institutions for undergraduate scholarship programs in Forestry. Promotes professional work in Federal and State agencies in natural resources. Authorized "such sums as may be necessary".

Source: Larry Payne, Director of Cooperative Forestry, USDA Forest Service. National Association of Conservation Districts Annual Meeting. August 6, 2007. Show Low, AZ.