AAC Forest Management on State Lands.  

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Assembly convened: 

Section 23-20 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof: 

The Commissioner of Environmental Protection shall administer the statutes relating to forestry and the protection of forests. [He] The commissioner may employ such field and office assistants as may be necessary for the execution of [his] the commissioner's duties. [He] The commissioner may, from time to time, publish the forestry laws of the state and other literature of general interest and practical value pertaining to forestry. [He] The commissioner may enter into cooperation with departments of the federal government for the promotion of forest resource management and protection within the state. [He] The commissioner may with the assistance of the State Forester develop and administer plans for the protection and management of publicly owned woodlands. Such plans shall include, but not be limited to, proposals for the establishment of forest plantations and the marketing of forest products. [He] The commissioner may apply to have products from state woodlands or state woodlands, as applicable, certified or licensed. The commissioner may harvest forest products from woodlands owned by the state and take such other measures [as he] the commissioner deems necessary for their efficient management and protection, may sell wood, timber and other products from any state woodlands whenever [he] the commissioner deems such sales desirable and may develop recreational facilities in the woodlands managed by the Department of Environmental Protection. [He] The commissioner shall charge no less than ten dollars per cord for any such wood or timber sold as fuel. [He] The commissioner may rent state forest property and buildings thereon under [his] the commissioner's jurisdiction for a period not exceeding twenty-five years, provided any lease for such property and building for a term of more than ten years shall be subject to the review and approval of the State Properties Review Board. The proceeds of such sales, rentals and any receipts resulting from management of the state forests, or from reimbursements from other state departments or state institutions, shall be deposited in the General Fund in accordance with the provisions of section 4-32, provided the amount of annual proceeds in excess of eight hundred thousand dollars, derived from the sale of wood, timber and other products from state woodlands, shall be deposited in the Conservation Fund, and credited to the forestry account, as established in section 22a-27h. Expenditures incurred by the commissioner for the protection, management and development of the forests, the preparation and marketing of forest products and the acquisition of land for the extension and completion of the state forests as provided in section 23-21 shall be paid with moneys appropriated from the General Fund. The provisions of this section shall not apply to land owned or managed by the state on which forest resource management measures may be restricted by deed, statute, or incompatible use. As used in this section, woodland means land owned or managed by a state agency and stocked with forest tree species not less than six hundred stems per acre and at least one year old.

• CT is rapidly turning into a “Forested State.“ This transformation from farmland fields and edges has seriously affected our traditional environment particularly concerning wildlife. Small game, which relies on open space/edges, is rapidly disappearing due to loss of habitat – among these species are: Grouse, Quail, Rabbits, Woodchucks, and numerous bird species. Conversely, the forest habitat has increased the prevalence of Coyotes, Bears, Turkey, and to some extent Deer. This bill will enhance forest management and wildlife management, both mandated by statute.
• The basis of the bill is to harvest more timber as a required conservation management measure, enhance an undeveloped state revenue source, and concurrently protect and enhance the diversity/continuance of wildlife species in the state (both game and non-game).
• The bill holds harmless the state collection of current revenues to the General Fund; establishes a dedicated fund, with revenues to the Conservation Fund, to be used for increased forester positions to generate increased revenue for added forester positions.