House Natural Resources committee passes bill directing DNR to set age targets, recreation fees for state forests

House Natural Resources Committee members voted 8–3 to pass House Bill 14 14 as amended after a half-day of testimony from foresters, conservation groups and recreation advocates. The legislation requires the Department of Natural Resources Division of Forestry to ensure at least 10% of state forest acreage consists of stands 100 years or older and at least 10% consists of stands 20 years or younger, and it directs proceeds from new recreational fees to a dedicated forestry fund.

The bill’s sponsor told the committee the measure is intended to “make sure that the environmental, economic, recreational, and health benefits” of forests are preserved for future generations, and that any revenue raised on state forest lands should remain available to manage those lands. The sponsor also said the bill “does not mandate logging,” but instead seeks ways to secure funding and to protect a baseline of older forest.

Supporters said the measure addresses a longstanding funding gap at the Division of Forestry and would restore staffing that helps private woodland owners and supports forest health work.…