COLUMBUS, OH -- The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) has launched the Ohio Forestry Initiative, a comprehensive approach by state government to promote environmentally responsible forest management on public and privately owned woodlands in Ohio. Announcing the new initiative, ODNR Director Sam Speck called it one of the most important and far-reaching efforts in many years to promote professional forest management, low-impact technology and continued growth in Ohio's statewide forested acres.

"State government is raising the bar, in terms of forest management practices, for ourselves and -- on a voluntary basis -- for those who own or manage forest resources on privately owned property," Speck said. "With the Ohio Forestry Initiative, we are taking a number of pro-active steps designed to strengthen tree-related programs in our state-owned forest lands, intensify our partnerships with owners of private forest properties and expand those public/private partnerships throughout Ohio."

Speck described the Ohio Forestry Initiative as a three-point effort:

Promoting the use of low-impact logging equipment and forest management practices on state forest lands and private properties. The ODNR Division of Forestry will now designate a portion of timber harvests in state forests to be completed only by loggers utilizing low-impact equipment, machinery designed to significantly reduce environmental impact on forest lands. ODNR will work to develop a low-interest loan program to assist private operators with the purchase of low-impact logging equipment. Under the Ohio Forestry Initiative, ODNR proposes that those seeking to qualify for special tax status offered to woodland property owners would be required to hire only professionally recognized Master Loggers and to have a property management plan in place.

Providing strong incentives for loggers to meet requirements of the Ohio Forestry Association's "Master Logger" professional recognition program. ODNR has adopted a strict policy to use only Master Loggers for logging and clearing projects affecting five acres or more of department-owned lands in state forests and state wildlife areas. The department has also committed to strengthen public awareness and appreciation of the Master Logger program and to provide special training to help logging companies maintain proficiency standards for their employees. ODNR foresters will offer courses in silvicultural practices as part of the training process.

Revising ODNR rules or, if needed, seeking legislation to provide incentives for private owners of forest land to adopt environmentally responsible practices. ODNR, in consultation with woodland owner groups, will seek legislation to combine two complex state taxation policies related to forest lands (Current Agricultural Use Value and Ohio Forest Tax Law) to create a single, less cumbersome and more effective program. The department will also work with owners of smaller woodland properties to develop co-ops for forest management, a concept that has been successful in other states.

"The various actions, strengthened rules and legislative proposals contained in this initiative, taken together, will help us achieve our ultimate goal: to make ODNR and our partners more environmentally responsible as we manage Ohio's forests and woodlands, while increasing the pace of reforestation in Ohio," Speck said.

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For Further Information Contact:
John Dorka
ODNR Division of Forestry
(614) 265-6690
-or-
ODNR Media Relations
(614) 265-6882