Relating to selective harvesting of timber on public lands, providing penalties, making appropriations, and including effective date provisions

This bill relates to selective harvesting of timber on public lands. The stated purpose of the bill is to authorize the selective harvesting of mature timber and other trees in public land by private logging companies to generate revenue for the maintenance and improvement of state parks, while ensuring environmental sustainability and public benefit. The bill allows a private logging company to submit a proposal to the department of natural resources (DNR) to engage in selective harvesting on public lands and provides requirements for the proposal. The bill directs DNR to approve or deny the proposal by considering the proposal’s adherence to state regulations, environmental protection standards, and park-specific management goals. The bill prohibits DNR from approving the proposal unless DNR determines the selective harvesting will benefit the forest health from the removal of specific mature trees, will remove risks to public safety, or is necessary to preserve the native ecosystem. If DNR approves the proposal, the bill directs DNR to issue a permit to the private logging company for a reasonable fee based on the amount of selective harvesting permitted. Additionally, the permit must include any specific conditions related to the harvest. Before approval of the proposal, the bill requires a public comment period of at least days. The bill directs any moneys generated from harvesting in a state park to be deposited into the state park logging account created in the bill to be used for enumerated purposes at the specific park from which the moneys were generated.32 and to be used for the purposes of that Code section, which include the establishment, restoration, or enhancement of state parks, state preserves, state forests, wildlife areas, wildlife habitats, native prairies, and wetlands, wildlife diversity, recreational purposes, technical assistance and financial incentives to private landowners to promote the management of forests, fisheries, wetlands, and wildlife, and the improvement of water trails, rivers, and streams. The bill requires harvesting activities to use best practices to protect soil, water quality, and wildlife habitats and directs DNR, for every tree harvested, to ensure the natural regeneration of a native tree species or plant new native trees within the public land. The bill requires DNR to implement a long-term sustainable forest management plan to maintain healthy ecosystems and prevent overharvesting, and to submit an annual report to the general assembly that provides details on harvesting activities, revenue, and environmental impacts resulting from the bill. The bill requires DNR to make all harvesting plans, financial reports, and environmental assessments publicly available on DNR’s internet site. The bill provides enforcement mechanisms for any violations of the bill.32 to implement revenue allocations in the bill. The bill takes effect upon enactment.