dFollowing several months of public meetings and committee discussions, the Joint 'Future of Forestry' Study Committee has issued its final report. The study committee, established by Senate Resolution 54 in the 2005 legislative session was co-chaired by State Senator Ross Tolleson (R-Perry) and State Representative Lynn Smith (R-Newnan) both of whom chair the Natural Resource and Environment Committee in their respective chambers.

Among the conclusions reached by the committee is that there should be serious study of the current tax system's impact on forest landowners, but in the context of a study of the state's entire tax system. Also, the group agreed that Georgia law should be amended so that local ordinances, regulations, policies, etc. which are in conflict with state statutes are null and void.

While it's doubtful that a great deal can be accomplished during an election year session with respect to many of the study committee recommendations, Tolleson and Smith will work toward legislation to protect prescribed fire as a critical forest management practice under Georgia's nuisance statute. There also will be an effort to rein in local governing authorities that attempt to expand upon certain state laws that regulate agricultural and forestry operations. Study committee leaders have promised additional study on several key findings of the committee.

According to GFA's Executive Vice President Steve McWilliams, the forestry study committee effort should reap benefits for some time to come.

"This process put a spotlight on forestry unlike at any time in the past" he said. "We have educated many legislative leaders and raised forestry's profile in a way that's bound to pay dividends in future legislative and regulatory efforts."

To view the entire study committee report, please click here. If you print the document, please use legal size paper.

"information provided courtesy of the Georgia Forestry Association (www.gfagrow.org)"