2008 LEGISLATIVE BRIEFING PAPER
Mission Statement
“Serving Minnesota’s woodland owners by promoting stewardship
of all forest resources”
| The Minnesota Forestry Association (MFA) is Minnesota’s oldest
conservation organization, founded in 1876 to promote wise stewardship of
forestlands. MFA believes that by working together, we can manage our forests
to meet present and future demands for wood products while maintaining
aesthetically pleasing and healthy forest ecosystems.
MFA supports: · Recommendations in the July 2007 "Report to the Governor - Governor's Task Force on the Competitiveness of Minnesota's Primary Forest Products Industry" that call for improvements to the Sustainable Forest Incentive Act and adjusting current property tax classifications / rates on woodlands to make them comparable to agricultural lands. Implementing these recommendations would encourage family forest landowners to retain their woodlands from sub-dividing them or developing them. · Recommendations of the MN Department of Revenue's Feb. 28, 2006 report to the MN State Legislature: "Assessment and Classification Practices Report - Rural Woodlands" that would help retain family owned woodlands for natural resource purposes in the face of economic pressures to sub-divide or develop their woodlands. The recommendations were reflected in the 2007 Omnibus Tax Bill. · Polices and programs that help mitigate climate change through management of family forestlands and the utilization of woody biomass for energy that compliments the manufacture of forest products. · Programs that provide professional forest management advice and assistance to Minnesota's 192,000 family owned woodlands, most of who do not have management plans for their properties. Assistance from professionals is one of the most effective means of detecting and controlling invasive non-native plants and pests that are a serious threat to Minnesota's forest ecosystems. Woodlands actively managed under an approved plan enhance the owners' opportunities to reach their goals and sustain forest ecosystems. We look forward to addressing any questions or concerns that you have on forestry issues.
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