Establishes a wood products development council

Summary of specific provisions

Section 1 amends section 16 of the agri- culture and markets law to expand the powers and duties of the Depart- ment to include encouraging and supporting the practice of forestry and the manufacture of wood products.

Section 2 of the bill adds a new article 18 to the agriculture and markets law creating the Wood Products Council, providing for its membership and directing it to, among other things, work with wood-using manufacturers to increase the economic vitality of the wood products industry. The Council shall deliver an annual report of its activities and recommendations to the Governor and the State Legislature.

Justification

The Woods Products Development Council will provide economic, social, and environmental benefits for New York, while improv- ing the effectiveness of government programs and the quality of life in upstate communities. Since the late nineteenth century, the size of New York's forest has increased steadily to the point where over 60% of the state is now covered by forest, a forest is distinguished by its variety and quality hardwoods. About 47,000 New Yorkers work in the forest products industry, earning approximately $2 billion in high-paying jobs in small rural communities.

In an era of an increasing level of international trade, New York's hardwood forests can readily provide exports to worldwide markets with strong demand for our forest products. Yet even though the growth, manu- facture, and sale of forest products is a key component of the upstate economy, New York is missing a significant opportunity for economic growth, because there is no coordination between stakeholders, to maxi- mize, nurture, and manage this critical resource. Increasing New York's hardwood forest industry would provide more good paying jobs and invigo- rate the economies of rural communities. The industry is characterized by family and multigenerational ownerships. It also has strong economic development multipliers, as the production of forest products requires highly-skilled and knowledge-based support in engineering and logistics.

Forest products link value-added manufacturing and processing with envi- ronmental good sense because the industry serves as a steward of our forests. Just like agriculture, proper forestry is a stewardship prac- tice, yielding clean water and air, removing greenhouse gases, and preventing or mitigating natural disasters like floods and wildfires.

This bill creates a Wood Products Development Council to work closely with the state's leading rural economic development agency, the Depart-

ment of Agriculture and Markets. Representing all stakeholders, from lumber to maple syrup, from forest owners to furniture manufacturers, the Council would advise the Governor on forest products policy, raise public awareness of the benefits of a healthy forest products industry, provide technical assistance to forest product businesses, help ensure that forest resources are put to beneficial use, and develop the wider value-added forest product industry.

Numerous policy initiatives have pointed to the need for this level of recognition and coordination. The Governor's Task Force on the Forest Industry and the Northern Forest Lands Council identified the opportu- nities. New York's Open Space Place recognizes the important role that the forest products industry plays in helping to support family and working forests. Pennsylvania has had a Hardwoods Development Council since 1988, and has successfully increased that state's exports of hard- wood products across the country and abroad.

Prior legislative history

New bill.

Fiscal implications

Minimal as it allows for the reimbursement of board members for their actual and necessary travel expenses.

Effective date

Immediately.