2004 Forest Protection Bills
The forest protection bills are designed to protect and improve interior forest habitat for both plants and animals. Most forests in Maryland are privately owned and have been logged repeatedly. Remaining forests are highly fragmented by human habitation, logging, and development. While this creates young forests that provide good habitat for invasive weed species and animals like whitetail deer, interior forest habitat for both plants and animals that require these conditions continues to shrink. According to the Department of Natural Resources, Maryland has already lost at least 180 plant and 35 animal species, and another 310 plant and 165 animal species are considered rare, threatened, or endangered.State forests belong to the public and should be managed primarily for public needs and the services they provide like watershed protection, clean air, wildlife habitat, and recreation. Recreation is a growing public activity and the public wants forests that are preserved for future generations.
HB867/SB771 - Logging Impact Report
Requires DNR to detail the cumulative environmental impacts from logging activities in state forests over the last 30 years. Report will include impacts caused by fragmentation of habitat, and impacts on forest species and water quality.
HB868/SB789 – Use of Revenues from Timber Harvesting
Requires DNR to use logging revenues (after the counties have taken their cut) to:
Inventory, protect, and restore forest interior species and habitats
eradicate invasive species
acquire forests that will not be eligible for timber harvesting.
Talking Points
The public owns only 15% of Maryland’s forests and wants DNR to be held accountable for how they manage state forests.
The public wants to understand the cumulative impact of years of logging, and its effect on plant and animal communities.
Recreational users are the major users of forests and provide by far the most revenue. They desire unfragmented forests and the opportunity to view maximum biodiversity in their activities.
Public surveys show overwhelming support for forest protection – 82% of the public favors protection of forests for biodiversity.