Committee hears $18 million request for statewide reforestation and forest health work
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Summary
Sen. Dibble introduced Senate File 4528 seeking $18 million in general obligation bonding for DNR forestry capital projects focused on reforestation and forest-stand improvement; conservation groups and industry witnesses warned of increasing acres impacted by pests, fire and disease and urged sustained investment.
Sen. Dibble told the committee Senate File 4528 would direct $18 million in general obligation bonding to the Department of Natural Resources for statewide forestry capital projects, emphasizing reforestation and forest-stand improvement to address pests, disease and wildfire risk.
"The bill asks for $18,000,000 in general obligation bonding to the DNR for statewide forestry capital projects," Sen. Dibble said, describing reforestation work including site preparation, seeding, planting and protection.
Jim Manolis, director of forest strategy and stewardship at The Nature Conservancy, supported the proposal, noting forests' roles in carbon storage, water protection and jobs and warning that disturbances are degrading forest health. Tom Radovich, executive vice president of Minnesota Forest Industries, told the committee acres impacted rose from about 300,000 to roughly 1.2 million between 2015 and 2025 and said DNR needs $8 million per biennium for reforestation.
Witnesses described reforestation as labor-intensive and costly; Radovich estimated planting and early care can run "upwards of $1,000 per acre." Committee members asked for clarification about existing forest-management funds and how commercial harvest and certification requirements intersect with reforestation obligations. The bill was laid over for possible inclusion.
