SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 55
(By Senators Helmick, Mitchell, Anderson, Bowman, Craigo, Love,
Minard, Plymale, Prezioso, Ross, Rowe, Snyder, Deem and Minear)
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[Originating in the Committee on Natural Resources; reported
April 9, 2001.]
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Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance direct the
Forest Management Review Commission to study the
implementation, effectiveness and enforcement of the Logging
Sediment Control Act in controlling water quality impacts
associated with commercial timber harvesting.
Whereas, The commercial harvesting of timber is fundamental to
the maintenance of existing forest products industry and to the
development of new forest products manufacturing that would benefit
the state in terms of employment and additional revenue to the
state; and
Whereas, The programs of the West Virginia Logging Sediment
Control Act are entering their tenth year of operator licensing,
logger certification and logging operation notification and
oversight under the direction of the Division of Forestry; and
Whereas, The Division of Forestry is charged with the administration of the southeastern interstate forest fire
protection compact and other compacts and agreements relating to
forest management and husbandry and the administration and
enforcement of laws relating to the conservation, development,
protection, use and enjoyment of all forest land areas of the
state; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance is
requested to direct the Forest Management Review Commission to
study the implementation, effectiveness and enforcement of the
Logging Sediment Control Act in controlling water quality impacts
associated with commercial timber harvesting; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the study may properly include on-site
review of actual best management practices in each of the six
Division of Forestry districts; comparison of West Virginia
regulatory and forest protection programs relative to surrounding
state; examination of the effectiveness of the triennial review of
best management practices so as to ensure that they incorporate the
most current technologies; review of the effectiveness of
interagency cooperation and the annual reporting requirements of
the Chief of Water Resources and the Director of Forestry; and the
effectiveness of state programs in protecting forested lands from
fire, insects and diseases; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and
Finance direct the Forest Management Review Commission to report to
the regular session of the Legislature, 2002, on its findings,
conclusions and recommendations, together with drafts of any
legislation necessary to effectuate its recommendations; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the expenses necessary to conduct this
study, to prepare a report and to draft necessary legislation be
paid from legislative appropriations to the Joint Committee on
Government and Finance.