A Good Neighbor Authority
(GNA) agreement between the USDA Forest Service and the Alabama Forestry
Commission (AFC) is allowing the agencies to work together across
boundaries. Thanks to the Agriculture
Improvement Act of 2018, commonly known as the Farm Bill, the state’s top
national and state forest agencies can collaborate and perform watershed
restoration and forest management services on the Bankhead, Conecuh, Talladega
and Tuskegee National Forests.
Alabama’s USDA Forest Service
Acting Supervisor Anthony Edwards and Alabama State Forester Rick Oates
recently signed a GNA supplemental project agreement that authorizes AFC to be
responsible for preparing and administering a timber sale on the Talladega
National Forest, Oakmulgee Ranger District that traditionally is managed by the
Forest Service.
The Agriculture Improvement
Act of 2018 has provisions that expands the GNA to include counties and tribes
and permits States to keep a portion of receipts from GNA timber sales for
other restoration and active management work.
“Our partnership will help
maintain and improve the health and resilience of forests,” said Anthony
Edwards, acting forest supervisor for the National Forests in Alabama.
According to Edwards, one important aspect of the partnership involves the
longleaf and shortleaf pine restoration goals to re-establish native pine
ecosystems. “Working together with the
Alabama Forestry Commission and other partners, we will develop and demonstrate
successful reforestation methods and encourage their use by private landowners,”
said Edwards.
“We’re excited to have the
opportunity to partner with the USDA Forest Service on this Good Neighbor
Authority agreement,” said Rick Oates, State Forester. “Everyone wins when
federal and state agencies join forces on a project,” he continued. “Joint
efforts such as this help us more effectively manage and protect our forests
while serving the citizens of Alabama.”
Forest management specialists
can collaborate on forest and watershed restoration services including activities
to treat insect and disease infected trees; reduce hazardous fuels;
re-establish native pine ecosystems and any other activities to restore or
improve, or market forest, and improve fish and wildlife habit.
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Pictured:
(Sitting Left to Right): AFC State Forester Rick Oates and USDA Forest Service
Acting Forest Supervisor Anthony Edwards. (Standing Left to Right): Will
Brantley, AFC Forest Management Division Director; David Kelley, AFC State
Lands Coordinator; and Gary Faulkner, AFC Economic Development Coordinator.
Alabama Forestry Commission: The mission of the Alabama Forestry
Commission is to protect and sustain Alabama’s forest resources using
professionally applied stewardship principles and education, ensuring that the
state’s forests contribute to abundant timber and wildlife, clean air and
water, and a healthy economy. For more information about the fire situation in
your area or any other forestry related issues, contact your local Alabama
Forestry Commission office or visit the AFC website at www.forestry.alabama.gov
USDA Forest Service, National
Forests in Alabama: National Forests are working forests where
you can expect to see controlled burns, tree thinning, tree planting and other
management activities throughout the year. The projects are focused on
maintaining the health and resilience of national forests while at the same
time providing products and services to the public. www.fs.usda.gov/alabama.
Photo: http://forestry.alabama.gov/Images/Download/USDA_Forest_Service_AFC_Sign_Agreement.jpg