Policy Updates

 

Legislation

On June 25 Governor Hassan officially vetoed the budget. That same day, Governor Hassan signed House Joint Resolution 2, A RESOLUTION making temporary appropriations for the expenses and encumbrances of the state of New Hampshire, that was passed by the N.H. House of Representatives and N.H. Senate on June 24. House Joint Resolution 2 avoids a shutdown of state government by funding state operations at their current level for the next six months. Passage of this resolution essentially pushes the budget debate into November and December. This week, several House committees took the opportunity to do some housekeeping and act on a few leftover bills prior to the July recess. Bills that saw action this week included two bills of interest to the New Hampshire timberland Owners Association (NHTOA): House Bill 143, An Act relative to electric renewable energy classes, and House Bill 500, AN ACT repealing the prohibition on the use of silencing devices for taking wildlife

 

 

House Bill 143 -- This bill would allow large hydro-electric power projects to qualify for New Hampshire's renewable portfolio standard law (RPS). Earlier this session, the NHTOA and a broad group of stakeholders successfully argued that allowing large hydro-electric power projects to qualify in the RPS was unnecessary and it would hurt the development of New Hampshire renewable energy projects. In February, the N.H. House of Representatives' Science, Technology, and Energy Committee voted to hold this bill for more study. We are pleased to report that on Tuesday, June 30, the committee voted unanimously to recommend to the full House of Representatives to kill House Bill 143. The full House will vote on the committee recommendation when they reconvene in January.

 

 

House Bill 500 -- This bill would allow individuals to hunt with the use of silencers. At the hearing on this bill before the N.H. House of Representatives' Fish, Game, and Marine Resources Committee in February, the NHTOA raised a number of concerns landowners have with this break from traditional hunting. On Tuesday, June 30, the Committee assigned this bill to a subcommittee for additional study this summer. The NHTOA will be participating in the subcommittee's work on this bill over the summer.

 

New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services - Wetlands Rulemaking

On June 25, the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (DES) officially kicked off their wetland rules re-write. The last complete re-write of the wetlands rules was back in 1991. Since then there have been many piecemeal changes in the laws and rules. This re-write effort hopes to enhance transparency and predictability, increase consistency and standardization, and ensure scientifically-based decisions that protect New Hampshire's sensitive and important natural resources. The NHTOA is an active participant in this process and will keep you informed of the rules as they develop and when there are opportunities for public input/comments. DES estimates this process will take a year to complete. For more information on this rule re-write effort, go to the DES website at

http://des.nh.gov/organization/divisions/water/wetlands/process-improvement.htm

 

 

Bids Sought: Firewood 

Carrol County, New Hampshire

 

Carrol County is seeking to purchase 10 truckloads of log-length hardwood firewood. Bid pricing must include transportation to the Carrol County complex located in Ossipee, N.H.

 

To submit pricing and get details, contact:

Will DeWittee

393-2898

 

 

Timber Talks

Informational sessions on the Northern Long-Eared Bat "Threatened" listing by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) interpretation of the interim 4(d) rule which accompanies this listing.

Monday, July 27, 2105, 6:00 p.m., Fox State Forest, Hillsboro, N.H.

Wednesday, July 29, 2015, 6:00 p.m., White Mountain National Forest Headquarters, Campton, N.H.

 

Cornish Fair Woodsmen's Competition

Saturday, Aug. 15, 2015, 52nd Annual Woodsmen's Competition, Cornish Fair Fairgrounds, Cornish Flat, N.H. Sponsored by the Sullivan County Chapter of the NHTOA and the Cornish Fair Association. Events include: chain saw steeplechase, world vs. New Hampshire chain saw steeplechase relay, chain saw speed sawing free-for-all, two-person crosscut sawing, Jack and Jill crosscut sawing, two-person log roll, wood chopping, double-bit ax throwing, bucksaw sawing, and tree felling. Contestants must provide their own safety gear, including safety chaps, hardhats, and safety glasses. Chain saws will be provided for the steeple chase event. Prize money will be awarded. Unique trophies are given to the contestants garnering the most points. More information is available from Jim Zullo at (603) 863-2422.

 

N.H. Log-a-Load for Kids Fund Raiser Sporting Clays Fun Shoot

Saturday, Aug. 29, 2015, Green Mountain Shooting Preserve, Effingham, N.H. Fifty Target Sporting Clays Fun Shoot, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Registration fee of $60 includes BBQ. This event is a "Fun Shoot". Keep your own score and venture out on the sporting clay course and have some fun breaking targets. Course targets will be set for new shooters, somewhat easy targets but tricky. Come and try your luck! If you are coming alone, don't worry, you will paired up with others. Side events: 5 Stand and Wobble Trap competition 25 targets for $10, Practice round 5 Stand and Wobble Trap Warm up 25 Targets for $5. Following the shoot you will be treated to a BBQ lunch and a raffle and auction. All proceeds from this event benefit the Children's Hospital at Dartmouth (CHaD). For more information on the Log-a-Load Foundation and CHaD go to logaload.org or chadkids.org. For details on this event call the NHTOA office at (603) 224-9699.

 

23rd Loggers and Truckers Convention

The 23rd Annual New Hampshire Loggers and Truckers Convention will be held on Oct. 17, 2015, at the Grappone Convention Center in Concord, N.H. Call the NHTOA office at (603) 224-9699 for information about advertising in the convention program.

 

 

Classes

 

Landowner Workshops (co-sponsored by UNH Cooperative Extension Service):

 

Farm Tractors in Forestry

Saturday, Oct. 3, 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Bridgewater, N.H.

Thinking about using a farm tractor in the woods? While they have their limitations, properly equipped tractors can play an important role in your woodlot. Come to this workshop to find out about ways you can safely and productively use a farm tractor as a tool in forestry. Several tractors and attachments will be on site and in use.

Also, Steve Patten, NHTOA Program Director, will demonstrate directional tree felling, utilizing the open-face notch technique as taught in the NH Professional Logger Program. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and chainsaw safety features will also be reviewed.

Cost: $15 for NHTOA members; $30 for non-members. Registration and more information available from the NHTOA office at (603) 224-9699.

 

Birds, Bucks, and Bunnies

Saturday, Oct. 24, 2015, 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Location TBD. Improving wildlife habitat is often cited as one of the top reasons landowners conduct a timber harvest.  Join UNH Cooperative Extension Wildlife Biologist Matt Tarr and N.H. Licensed Professional Forester Mike Powers for a discussion and field session on habitat and forest management practices that promote wildlife biodiversity.  Emphasis will be on both game and non-game species, including migratory songbirds, White Tailed Deer, and the New England Cottontail.   

Cost: $15 for NHTOA members; $30 for non-members. Registration and more information available from the NHTOA office at (603) 224-9699.

 

Managing Northern Hardwoods

Saturday, Oct. 31, 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Bartlett, N.H. Spend a morning learning about the research, conducted over 50 years, on Northern hardwoods in the Bartlett Experimental Forest. Longtime U.S. Forest Service researchers Bill Leak and Mariko Yamasaki will lead an informative discussion on how to enhance quality hardwood regeneration and how to manage hardwood forests to benefit a wide range of wildlife species. The majority of workshop will be outside, so dress for the weather.

Cost: $15 for NHTOA members; $30 for non-members. Registration and more information available from the NHTOA office at (603) 224-9699.

 

Fall Professional Logger Classes

            Starting the last week of Sept. 2015. Please call the NHTOA office at (603) 224-9699 to make sure you are on the mailing list or to check to see what classes you might need. Cost is $45 for NHTOA members; $90 for non-members.