The President's Administration proposed drastic cuts to portions of the US Forest Service Budget.
These cuts would have significant negative impacts on the programs affecting how Ohio's foresters help manage the
forests of the State - both privately and publicly owned. Significant cuts of note include: State & Private Lands Program,
the Urban & Community Forestry Program, Forest Health Program, Forest Legacy Program, and State Fire Assistance. These cuts will substantially reduce
resources available to landowners and foresters of Ohio and the rest of the Nation.
The Society of American Forester's provided testimony encouraging partial restoration of the funding required to operate these programs. The Executive Committee of Ohio's SAF Chapter felt that the recommendations of the National office are insufficient to maintain quality programs.
The first document is SAF's Testimony to the Appropriations Subcommittee.
The second document is a letter sent to the National SAF from Ohio SAF's Executive Committee expressing objection over SAF's recommended reductions.
The third document is the recommendations of the National Association of State Foresters concerning the same budget issues. OSAF's Executive Committee feels these recommendations are more in line with what is required to sufficiently fund the programs in question.
The fourth document is a letter from OSAF's Policy Committee to the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate Appropriations Committees, the Ohio U.S. Congressional Delegation, and related House and Senate Committees/Subcommittees
The final document is a list of Ohio's US Senators and US Representatives to whom the Policy Committee's letter was sent.
Society of American Forester's Testimony to the Senate Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee
on Interior and Related Agencies (April 23, 2008)
Letter to SAF from Ohio SAF's Executive Committee.
National Association of State Foresters' FY2009 Proposed Budget for USFS
Letter from OSAF Policy Committee to the Ohio Congressional Delegation
Ohio's Delegation to the US Congress.
May 21, 2008