Bill Text: NJ A2508 | 2014-2015 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Establishes forest harvest demonstration program in pinelands area.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2014-02-10 - Introduced, Referred to Assembly Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee [A2508 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2014-A2508-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Assemblyman JOHN F. MCKEON
District 27 (Essex and Morris)
SYNOPSIS
Establishes forest harvest demonstration program in pinelands area.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act concerning forest stewardship in the pinelands area, and supplementing P.L.1979, c.111 (C.13:18A-1 et seq.).
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. a. The Pinelands Commission, in consultation with the Department of Environmental Protection, shall develop a forest stewardship demonstration project to evaluate the practicability and feasibility of establishing sustainable forest stewardship practices in the protection area of the pinelands area that are supported by a viable forest products market in New Jersey. During the development of the demonstration project, the Pinelands Commission shall consult with any other appropriate officials of local governments and State or federal agencies with jurisdiction over lands, waters and natural resources of the pinelands area, and with interested professional, scientific and citizen organizations. The demonstration project shall include forest stewardship activities affecting up to 6,000 forested acres annually in the protection area and be conducted for a period of 10 years from the date of enactment of this act.
In developing the demonstration project, the commission shall:
(1) identify, in consultation with the department, State-owned lands within the protection area on which the demonstration project will occur;
(2) ensure that forest stewardship activities conform to requirements of the Federal Act;
(3) ensure that forest stewardship activities are conducted pursuant to a forest stewardship plan consistent with the requirements of section 3 of P.L.2009, c.256 (C.13:1L-31);
(4) authorize a combination of harvesting techniques; and
(5) ensure that forest stewardship activities conform to the "Pinelands Protection Act," P.L.1979, c.111 (C.13:18A-1 et seq.), and the comprehensive management plan.
b. The commission shall select a project manager to implement and supervise the demonstration project after public advertisements for bids therefor. A contract shall be awarded to that responsible bidder whose bid, conforming to the invitation for bids, is most advantageous to the State. The commission shall consider the price, ability to manage the duties required of the project manager pursuant to this section, and other appropriate factors.
c. The duties of the project manager shall include:
(1) adopting a forest stewardship plan, developed through a public process including a public notice, hearing, and comment period, consistent with the provisions of P.L.1979, c.111 and the comprehensive management plan;
(2) providing for the cutting and sale of wood;
(3) obtaining the best price for the harvested wood;
(4) obtaining all permits and approvals necessary to engage in forest stewardship activities; and
(5) developing a strategy for the creation of a viable economic market for forest products.
d. The commission shall investigate the availability of, and apply for, funds from the federal government, or any private or public source, to finance any costs of the demonstration project.
e. The project manager shall annually prepare a written report concerning the demonstration project during the implementation phase of the project, and a final report within six months after its completion, which shall be submitted to the commission, the department, the Governor, the Legislature, pursuant to section 2 of P.L.1991, c.164 (C.52:14-19.1), and the Chairpersons of the Senate Environment and Energy Committee and the Assembly Environment and Solid Waste Committee, or their successor committees. The final report shall include but not be limited to an explanation of the procedures used in the project, a description of the locations of the forest stewardship activities performed pursuant to this section, the amount and type of forest products harvested and sold, the buyers of the forest products harvested, the cost effectiveness of the management techniques used, environmental problems encountered, an accounting of the costs of the project, and any other information the commission deems appropriate.
f. The commission shall prepare and submit a report to the Governor, the Legislature, pursuant to section 2 of P.L.1991, c.164 (C.52:14-19.1), and the Chairpersons of the Senate Environment and Energy Committee and the Assembly Environment and Solid Waste Committee, or their successor committees, no later than one year following completion of the demonstration project. The report shall describe the results of the demonstration project and include recommendations for further administrative or legislative action.
2. This act shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This bill would direct the Pinelands Commission to develop a forest stewardship demonstration project in the protection area of the pinelands area to provide for the harvest of forest products on State-owned lands for which a forest stewardship plan has been developed. The demonstration project would include forest stewardship activities affecting up to 6,000 forested acres annually in the protection area on State-owned land and be conducted for a period of 10 years from the date of enactment of the bill.
In developing the demonstration project, the commission would be required to identify, in consultation with the Department of Environmental Protection, State-owned lands within the protection area on which the demonstration project will occur, ensure that forest stewardship activities conform to requirements of the federal law that established the Pinelands National Reserve, ensure that forest stewardship activities are conducted pursuant to a forest stewardship plan consistent with the requirements of section 3 of P.L.2009, c.256 (C.13:1L-31), authorize a combination of harvesting techniques, and ensure that forest activities conform to the "Pinelands Protection Act," and the pinelands comprehensive management plan.
The program would require the commission to select a project manager to implement and supervise the program after public advertisements for bids therefor. A contract would be awarded to the bidder whose bid is most advantageous to the State. The duration of the contract would be 10 years. The duties of the project manager would include: (1) adopting a forest stewardship plan, developed through a public process including a public notice, hearing, and comment period, consistent with the provisions of the "Pinelands Protection Act" and the pinelands comprehensive management plan; (2) providing for the cutting and sale of wood; (3) obtaining the best price for the harvested wood; (4) obtaining all permits and approvals necessary to engage in forest stewardship activities; and (5) developing a strategy for the creation of a viable economic market for forest products.
The bill would also require the project manager annually to prepare a written report concerning the program, and a final report within six months after its completion, and submit it to the commission, the department, the Governor, the Legislature and the Chairpersons of the Senate Environment and Energy Committee and the Assembly Environment and Solid Waste Committee. In addition, the bill would require the commission to prepare and submit a report to the Governor, the Legislature and the Chairpersons of the Senate Environment and Energy Committee and the Assembly Environment and Solid Waste Committee within one year following completion of the project that describes the results of the demonstration project and include recommendations for further administrative or legislative action.
