RD48 - Annual Report on the Actions, Conclusions and Recommendations for Conserving the Commonwealth's Forest Supply


Executive Summary:
Forestland is a major contributor to Virginia's economy, and its greatest asset is renewability. With thoughtful planning and informed management, the Commonwealth's expanding population can continue to depend on sustainable forest resources for products, jobs, tourism, recreation and environmental amenities. More than three-quarters of Virginia's forestland is in non-industrial, private ownership. Much can be gained by improving average forest productivity through better management of these lands. Increasing the efficiency of harvesting and processing operations extends the resource so that less wood will be needed to satisfy certain product needs. Working in urbanizing areas will also be an important role of the Department of Forestry (DOF).Professional management and planning in urbanizing areas is critical to tree protection and establishment. Maintaining healthy forests and trees in urban areas will improve the desirability and quality of life for the residents of that community. Virginia's forests are a living, growing resource. If managed properly they will support a prospering Virginia through an expanding forest industry and quality communities, along with increased wildlife habitat, improved water resources and air quality, and greater recreational opportunities far into the twenty-first century.

The DOF must work to reverse the trend of a shrinking forest land base and ensure a large enough forest land base to accommodate the future needs of Virginians. Conserving the forestland base will not only allow us to continue to practice responsible forestry and ensure adequate resources for Virginia's forest industry, but it will also protect the environmental benefits derived from forests, such as improved water quality, wildlife habitat, air quality improvement, noise abatement, and soil improvement and protection. It also protects the scenic beauty and quality of life that attracts people and businesses to locate in Virginia.

Rapid population growth places ever greater demands on Virginia's forest land base. Successful pursuit of the DOF mission strongly hinges on the conservation of the land base. The Forest Inventory of Virginia data shows a direct loss in excess of 20,000 acres of forestland each year to development and limited agricultural conversion. Based on population growth distribution studies, the functional loss of forestland is much higher. Development also complicates and increases the challenges of resource management and protection. Virginia's population growth is inevitable. Sensitivity to conservation of natural resources needs to be a major component of urban planning.

Studies of fiscal impact of major land-uses show an overwhelming benefit derived from farms and forestland when compared to residential, industrial and commercial lands. Comparing revenues from and expenditures for various land uses in several piedmont Virginia counties, officials report that for every dollar of tax revenue from forest and farm land only 10 to 20 cents is required for services on those lands. The remaining 80-90 percent of tax revenues from forest and farm land is available to local governments to fund schools and other services for residential areas. The studies also found that without this surplus, tax revenues would be insufficient to meet the cost of services for residential areas.

Many of tomorrow's forestry opportunities will occur only as a result of a coordinated cooperative effort by the entire conservation community. The story of responsible forest management and forest land base conservation needs to be told.

Recommendations

The Department of Forestry has developed five main goals to work toward reversing the trend of a shrinking forest land base and ensure a large enough forest land base to accommodate the future needs of Virginians:

1) Protect the forest resources from wildfire.
2) Conserve the forest land base.
3) Protect water quality associated with silvicultural activities and riparian areas.
4) Improve and renew forest resources.
5) Create an organizational environment that enables employees to effectively protect and develop healthy, sustainable forest resources.