Forestry Commission public meetings in 2020

Forestry Commission

The Louisiana Forestry Commission is meeting to determine the average stumpage market value of trees, timber, and pulpwood. This determination is used to predicate the severance tax for the period from January 1, 2021, to December 31, 2021.

• Determination of average stumpage market value for 2021 severance tax
• Approval of minutes from September 8, 2020
• Budget discussion
• Division reports

The Commission approved the 2021 severance tax values for various timber products and accepted a state resolution for sexual harassment training. Members also reviewed budget expenditures and enforcement reports regarding timber theft.

• Approved 2021 severance tax rates for pine/hardwood sawtimber, chip-n-saw, and pulpwood (unanimous)
• Approved state resolution to complete one hour of sexual harassment training (unanimous)
• Approved minutes from September 8, 2020 meeting (unanimous)

Forestry Commission

The Louisiana Forestry Commission is meeting on September 8, 2020, via teleconference because it lacks a quorum for an in-person meeting, as allowed under the governor's COVID-19 emergency proclamation. The agenda includes call to order, roll call, public comments, approval of minutes from June and August meetings, budget, division reports, old business, and new business.

• Meeting held by teleconference due to lack of quorum under Executive Proclamation JBE 2020-75
• Approval of minutes from June 9, 2020, and emergency meeting on August 4, 2020
• Budget discussion
• Division reports
• Old and new business

The Commission decided to use current established severance tax rates as the base value for establishing losses to request funding for landowners. The body also approved the minutes from the June 9 and August 4, 2020 meetings.

• Approved June 9, 2020 meeting minutes (All in favor)
• Approved August 4, 2020 meeting minutes (All in favor)
• Decided to use current established severance tax rates as the base value for establishing losses

Forestry Commission

The Louisiana Forestry Commission certified that it cannot meet quorum requirements and will hold its 10:00 a.m. meeting on August 4, 2020, via conference call under Governor John Bel Edwards' Executive Order JBE 2020-75. The meeting will allow public observation and input as detailed in the August 3 notice. No substantive agenda items are listed.

The Commission met to determine the cap amount and cost share incentive rates for the Forest Protection Program. Members voted to lower the program cap and maintain the existing cost share rate.

• Reduced Forest Protection Program cap from $15,000.00 to $10,000.00 (Unanimous)
• Maintained current cost share rate at 75/25 (Unanimous)
• Approved amendment to incentive cost share (Unanimous)

Forestry Commission

The Commission reviewed budget updates, including potential one to two percent budget cuts and the use of federal COVID funds. Discussions were held regarding enforcement staffing, timber harvest proceeds, and Forest Protection Plan applications.

• Approved March 10, 2020 meeting minutes (unanimous)
• Decided to hold all large expenditures until next fiscal year
• Approved proceeding with filling seven of nine vacant positions

Forestry Commission

The Louisiana Forestry Commission will meet to discuss the budget and review division reports. The agenda consists of standard procedural items and general business.

• Approval of December 2, 2019 minutes
• Budget discussion
• Division reports

The Commission approved previous meeting minutes and reviewed budget, staffing, and enforcement updates. No new substantive policy decisions or contracts were finalized during this session.

• Approved December 2, 2019 meeting minutes (unanimous)
• Carried over request for Department of Revenue severance tax discussion to June meeting