Senate resolution urges landowners to act against southern pine beetle outbreak

The Senate Natural Resources and the Environment Committee adopted Senate Resolution 480, a measure that recognizes the acute and ongoing threat posed by the southern pine beetle in western parts of the state and urges landowners to adopt best management practices to reduce spread.

Senator Brass presented the resolution and described the beetle, using the scientific name while noting the common name: "for us laymen, we call it the southern pine beetle." The resolution's middle sections (lines cited by the presenter) emphasize mitigation through proper forest management and adherence to Georgia Forestry Commission guidance.

Committee members asked about practical responses. Senators identified common steps such as removing infested standing or downed trees, targeted harvesting around affected perimeters, and, where appropriate, controlled burning to reduce fuel and insect habitat. Senator Goodman said he would move the resolution, and the committee adopted the measure by voice/hand vote; the transcript records that the resolution "carried," but it contains no roll-call tally.

Presenters and members also noted the importance of market development for small-diameter wood as a longer-term strategy to maintain healthy forests.

The resolution is advisory and calls for outreach and use of the Forestry Commission's best practices rather than creating new regulatory obligations in the text recorded in committee.