The Senate passed legislation on Wednesday that would allow the Department of Commerce subagencies to contract for the management of state forests and wildlife management areas to prevent wildfires.
Senate Bill 688 would allow the directors of the Division of Forestry and Division of Natural Resources to enter into such agreements.
The legislation also has a commercial side that would allow either director to award management contracts for state forests, wildlife management areas and “natural and scenic areas,” notwithstanding the competitive bidding process, when the contract is a “necessary component of an economic development project.”
The directors would have to execute the contract with written approval from the Department of Economic Development and Department of Commerce secretaries. The contract must be based on current market value.
Either the Division of Natural Resources or the Division of Forestry could include provisions in any land management contract under the legislation for the disposition of forest biomass.
Biomass is organic material that comes from plants and animals. Biomass sources include limbs and tops of trees remaining after logging, and may also come from the debris of dead and diseased trees. The United States Department of Energy has advised that harvesting excessive woody biomass can reduce forest fire risk.
Department of Commerce Secretary James Bailey told members of the Economic Development committee last week that entities producing energy, fuel or charcoal from biomass have had an interest in West Virginia. It is Bailey’s understanding that his agency does not have the authority to sell the state’s biomass without this legislation.
Members expressed concern on the floor and in committee that this legislation could open the door to timbering of state parks. They were assured by leadership that this bill only pertains to management of biomass.
The bill now heads to the House of Delegates for consideration.
The Senate is adjourned until tomorrow, Feb. 22, at 11 a.m.
Morning Meetings for 2/22:
Education at 9:30 a.m. in 451M
Gov. Org at 9:30 a.m. in 208W
