http://www.texasforestry.org/news/ en sstutts@texasforestry.org Copyright 2023 2023-07-10T22:01:00+00:00 https://dev.texasforestry.org/news/timber_asset_protection_act_2023_what_you_need_to_know https://dev.texasforestry.org/news/timber_asset_protection_act_2023_what_you_need_to_know#When:22:01:00Z Legislative statute revisions to affect Texas timber sales, forest products mills and protection for private landowners Effective September 1, 2023, members of the timber industry will be better protected buying and selling timber in Texas. Due to a rising occurrence of timber theft cases, members of the 88th Texas Legislature passed House Bill 1772, The Timber Asset Protection Act, to improve and clarify Texas’ forestry bill-of-sale laws, required documentation for mills and landowners, and to apply the same penalties to fraud as has been applicable for unauthorized harvest of timber. Current forestry bill of sale laws have been effective the past, but due to the changing process over time of growing, delivering, manufacturing, and valuating of forest products, certain legal changes are needed, as well as adjustments to penalties for illegal behavior. “The first laws dealing with requiring bills of sale were passed in 1977, and as the industry has evolved, subsequent adjustments in timber asset protection laws have been needed,” said Texas Representative Trent Ashby, Dist. 9, author of HB 1772.  “This revision of our Natural Resources Code will ensure transparency and accountability in timber transactions which will keep our forest economy working and healthy for future generations.” The intent of this new legislation is to deter theft by requiring a more transparent timber transaction starting with an accurate bill of sale from the forest to the mill and delivery documentation for pay-as-cut timber sales to the forest landowner within 45 days. This will require mills to provide an addendum to their documentation and a new or revised notice sign at receiving truck scales. The penalties for knowingly providing false information to the mill or failing to provide proper and timely documentation to the forest landowner are now the same misdemeanors and felony levels as in timber theft cases of harvesting timber without permission. “While investigating timber theft cases, we frequently noticed inconsistencies in Chain-of-Custody documentation, or lack thereof,” said Jarred Lemmon, Texas A&M Forest Service Assistant Chief of Law Enforcement. “Buttoning up the requirements of the timber sale process with a few minor statutory changes would benefit all facets of the timber industry in Texas, from the time it was procured and harvested until its final destination after manufacturing.” Over the past four years, the Texas Forestry Association petitioned for the changes provided in HB 1772 with targeted education, as well as through consultation with Texas A&M Forest Service for statutory and operational expertise. TFA Executive Director Rob Hughes said the upgrades reflected in the Timber Asset Protection Act are part of the association’s mission of forestry education and resource protection.  “Texans enjoy many benefits from our forests which are 95% privately owned.  This legislation will keep our forest products markets competitive ensuring healthy working forests for the future,” said Texas Senate sponsor Robert Nichols, Dist. 3. A summary of the timber theft legislation and penalties includes: Revised bill of sale statute to include “Information be true and accurate” with current methods of describing the property address or use of GPS coordinates Someone who knowingly provides false information on bill of sale would be guilty of a misdemeanor which increases to felony levels Bill of sale information retention increases from 2 years to 5 years A new requirement of legal proof documentation from the buyer to the seller, such as a delivery receipt, within 45 days after delivery to a mill Penalties for ‘unauthorized harvest of timber’ now apply to bill of sale information and documentation from purchaser to forest landowner Timber Asset Protection Action (HB 1772) Texas Natural Resources Code Title 6. Timber, Section 151, Subchapter A Bill of Sale Examples (2023) For more information on 2023 Timber Asset Protection Act visit: https://www.texasforestry.org/ and https://tfsweb.tamu.edu/LawEnforcement/ 2023-07-10T22:01:00+00:00 https://dev.texasforestry.org/news/registration_is_open_for_the_tfa_regional_meeting_in_willis_on_august_3_202 https://dev.texasforestry.org/news/registration_is_open_for_the_tfa_regional_meeting_in_willis_on_august_3_202#When:14:09:00Z Don't miss an opportunity to network with other TFA members and enjoy a nice dinner. The event is free, but registration is required. Click here to read more. 2023-07-06T14:09:00+00:00 https://dev.texasforestry.org/news/tfas_branching_out_seminar_for_landowners_august_11_2023 https://dev.texasforestry.org/news/tfas_branching_out_seminar_for_landowners_august_11_2023#When:19:03:00Z https://dev.texasforestry.org/images/uploads/Branching_Out_2023_Flyer_(5).png 2023-06-19T19:03:00+00:00 https://dev.texasforestry.org/news/tfa_regional_meeting_june_29th_in_longview https://dev.texasforestry.org/news/tfa_regional_meeting_june_29th_in_longview#When:13:16:00Z Don't miss an opportunity to network with other TFA members and enjoy a nice dinner. Click here to read more. 2023-06-12T13:16:00+00:00 https://dev.texasforestry.org/news/celebrating_national_arbor_day_august_28th https://dev.texasforestry.org/news/celebrating_national_arbor_day_august_28th#When:13:14:00Z Why we should celebrate the positive impact of working forests this Arbor Day Billy Geier, Southwest Resource Unit Director of Operations, Rayonier- April 28, 2023 My interest in forestry began when I was a young boy always spending time outdoors. Over time, I began to notice the clearing of land, and the trees not being utilized. I wanted to be involved in the proper management and utilization of this great renewable resource. You might be aware of the essential benefits trees provide, but what you might not know is that healthy trees and working forests require active management. https://dev.texasforestry.org/images/uploads/RYN_BillyGeier.jpgThey are carefully managed by a group of foresters like myself, to supply sustainable timber for homes, paper, energy, and thousands of products we use in our everyday life. In addition, these working forests sequester carbon, protect water quality, and offer a habitat for many wildlife species. At Rayonier, we plant 39 million seedlings each year. In the state of Texas, we plant 2.3 million trees on nearly 300,000 acres of managed forest land each year. It’s exciting to see the trees I was once responsible for planting, be harvested. But our work doesn’t start and stop at planting and harvesting. Our team of foresters manages the land, implements advanced silviculture practices including fertilization, and manages any pest or disease issues. As stewards of the land, it is crucial that our management practices are focused on conservation and sustainability. At Rayonier, the sustainability of our working forests is a passion, and something that we are all proud of. If you are planting a tree this Arbor Day, reach out to Rayonier to coordinate a visit from one of our team members. We have hands-on educational lessons for groups of all ages and would love to share more about our forests. I also urge you to you look beyond the planting of trees, and gain a deeper understanding of the impact sustainable working forests bring to the environment. Working forests contribute to our great state of Texas by: Providing jobs to the community - From field foresters to loggers to truck drivers, working forests provide employment opportunities to the local community. The latest economic study by Texas A&M Forest Service shows that the Texas forest sector supported more than 172,000 jobs with $10.5 billion in labor income (Texas A&M Forest Service, 2021). Creating economic growth - Local economies benefit from the sale of forestry products, such as lumber, pulp, and paper products. The revenue generated from our working forests supports local businesses, creating local economic growth. Texas A&M Forest Service reports a “total economic impact of $41.6 billion in total industry output,” for the Texas forest sector in 2021. Protecting the local ecosystem - Managed forests support the biodiversity of not only the forest lands but the surrounding communities. With sustainable management practices at work, our forests help protect important natural resources that people and wildlife depend on. Wildlife habitats, water, and soil quality are all at the forefront of our minds. As a forester, my career is centered around managing trees and protecting the environment. At the heart of it, we are environmentalists, making every day Arbor Day for a forester. We know and understand the stewardship and management of the forest. We hold a deep appreciation for the ecological, environmental, and social values the forest has and provides. Because of this, foresters commit to responsible and sustainable forestry practices. So, join me and the forestry industry in celebrating the contributions the foresters and the working forests provide to local communities, wildlife, and the environment. For more information about forestry in Texas, visit www.texasforestry.org. Billy Geier, Southwest Resource Unit Director of Operations, Rayonier 2023-04-28T13:14:00+00:00 https://dev.texasforestry.org/news/outstanding_tree_farm_tour_set_for_april_22_2023_in_harrison_county https://dev.texasforestry.org/news/outstanding_tree_farm_tour_set_for_april_22_2023_in_harrison_county#When:21:19:00Z Click here to view the details and RSVP. 2023-04-10T21:19:00+00:00 https://dev.texasforestry.org/news/texas_pro_logger_schedule_through_june_2023 https://dev.texasforestry.org/news/texas_pro_logger_schedule_through_june_2023#When:22:00:00Z Texas Logging Council LTE 2023 Schedule January through June, 2023 *Pro logger core workshops: to be held at TFA, Lufkin February 23-24, 2023 June 1-2, 2023 **Forest Roads & Stream Crossing required workshop: to be held at TFA, Lufkin. 6.0 hours March 16, 2023 March 23, 2023 May 11th & 12th, 2023 ***Pro logger CEU workshops.  6.0 hours March 3, 2023, TFA, Lufkin April 28, 2023, Cleveland/Silsbee area May 19, 2023, Kellyville Center, Jefferson June 16, 2023, TFA, Lufkin Registration for all workshops will be online six (6) weeks prior to the training date at www.texasforestry.org. Click on the Member Portal at the top of the home page, and then scroll down to the calendar. *Core workshops are for new TPL or those whose certificates have expired two+ years. **Forest Roads & Stream Crossing must be taken this year if you did not take it in 2022 or earlier. It is a required course. Please do not retake this course if you took it in 2022. ***These are regular CEU workshops. You may take one of these if you have already taken the Forest Roads & Stream Crossing required training. ALL CEU TRAINING MUST BE COMPLETED BEFORE NOVEMBER 1. 2023-01-13T22:00:00+00:00 https://dev.texasforestry.org/news/texas_pro_logger_core_training_offered_october_6_7_2022 https://dev.texasforestry.org/news/texas_pro_logger_core_training_offered_october_6_7_2022#When:20:24:00Z This training is for Logging contractors and foremen who desire accreditation in the Texas Pro Logger Program for the first time, or whose accreditation has lapsed. Registration begins at 7:30am and the workshop starts at 8. Click here for more information and to register. 2022-09-03T20:24:00+00:00 https://dev.texasforestry.org/news/tfa_sets_northeast_texas_regional_meeting_for_august_25_2022 https://dev.texasforestry.org/news/tfa_sets_northeast_texas_regional_meeting_for_august_25_2022#When:15:07:00Z Join us for the TFA Regional Meeting in northeast Texas. There will be networking with other TFA members and sponsors from 5:30-6:30pm (or whenever you arrive) followed by dinner at 6:30. There is no charge to attend, but registration is required. Click here for more information and to RSVP. 2022-07-11T15:07:00+00:00 https://dev.texasforestry.org/news/tfas_branching_out_seminar_august_12_2022 https://dev.texasforestry.org/news/tfas_branching_out_seminar_august_12_2022#When:14:52:00Z Texas Forestry Association’s Texas Forest Landowners Council will hold a seminar for forest landowners in lieu of their August meeting. Several informative topics will be presented - what a great opportunity to learn more about enriching your working forests! Click here for more information. Click here to register. 2022-07-11T14:52:00+00:00