Mike Babler and Kathy Porter of the Colorado State Forest
Service have informed me today via e-mail
that SIP funding is being scrutinized by the US congress. For those of
you who are unaware of the role of SIP funds they are a federal subsidy
for private woodland owners to assist with cost sharing of forest
ecosystem management expenditures. Activities that would qualify range
from preparing a management plan to reforestation and pre-commercial
thinning.
In order to qualify a landowner must have a forest management plan
and be DEDICATED to sound forest stewardship activities on their property.
This is not a handout, landowners must be willing to work hard for their
management goals over the long term in order to qualify, and if they fail
to do so they are required to repay the subsidy. As we all know,
initiating good stewardship practices among non-industrial forest
landowners is sometimes difficult due to the initial expenditures
involved. Any money that is used towards the health of United States
forests is money well spent.
As I understand it, this issue is before congress at this very
moment. It would benefit everyone if you would contact your local US
House and Senate representatives via telephone or e-mail to let them know
your feelings on promoting the health of United States forests. Of all
the things our federal government spends taxpayer money on, this
environmental expenditure has to be one of the most worthwhile.
Regards,
Scott Golden
"A healthy forest is no accident" -SAF
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