Relates to establishing a young logger apprentice program

Section 2 is the effective date.

Existing law

Article 40 of the Education Law pertains to Boards of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES). Section 1950 of this article establishes BOCES pending the creation of intermediate districts. Pursuant to this section, BOCES may provide training for employment to adults with consideration given to occupations and industries on demand. The boards may also establish reduced tuition rates for such training. Training for employment for adults must be offered through state approved sequences or parts of a secondary career education instruction. Participating adults may be awarded certificates of completion, but they may not earn credit based on their participation towards a high school diploma. The term "adult" in this section is defined as anyone under the age of 21 that has received a high school diploma, or over the age of 21 who has not received a high school diploma.

Current law does not specifically allow for a young logger apprentice program. Similar programs, such as young farmer apprentice programs, do exist in other states as a means of encouraging young people to consider entering into the agriculture industry. Granting BOCES jurisdiction over such a curriculum encourages participation in the program and encourages the programs to take root and give them authenticity.

Justification

The sale and harvest of forest products are critically important to the management of forest lands. But poor logging threatens future forest productivity by potentially damaging soil and polluting water sources. Over-cutting or selective removal of only the highest quality trees can leave the forest overpopulated with defective, low-value trees that crowds desirable growth. Much of the institutional knowledge related to effective and environmentally secure timber harvest will be lost unless young people learn that logging is a vital industry with economically advantageous career opportunities. This legislation proposes a Young Logger Apprentice Program to encourage younger generations to consider the timber harvest profession and receive a didactic experience by shadowing and working under current loggers.

According to the New York Wood Products Development Council, New York's land mass is over 60% forested, which amounts to 19 million acres of forestland. Despite this, much of New York's forested lands are underutilized as an economic asset and the industry is declining due to foreign competition, changes in federal tax laws, and evolving demographics and attitudes surrounding timber harvest and the wood products industry. Unlike farmers, who in recent years, have enjoyed a revitalized economy through a nationwide interest in farm-to-table and buying local initiatives, with many consumers being more informed about food systems and sustainable agriculture, loggers, at times, have been vilified and the profession characterized as the despoiling of natural lands.

Rather than defiling and devastating natural forests, responsible logging supports forest health by weeding out infestations and invasive species. A well-managed forest is not only aesthetically pleasing but effective in preserving the watershed system and is invaluable to the production of timber and other forest products. New York made maple syrup, paper pulp, furniture, finished hardwoods, and biomass energy, all rely on the growth and careful harvesting of New York's forests. As such, logging has the potential to be a significant vehicle for economic activity across the state.

Logging entails a number of jobs, including fallers, those who cut down trees by hand, operators, those who operate the machinery used to fell trees, and graders and scalers, who check the amount and quality of the wood. However, the number of all logging workers nationwide is expected to fall 4% from 2014-2024, according to the projections provided by the United States Bureau of Labor. The number of fallers is projected to also decline by 17% during the same time period.

In 2011 about 47,000 New Yorkers worked in the forest product industry, earning approximately $2 billion in high-paying jobs in small rural communities. Nearly half of these jobs are tied directly to the state's standing timber resource. By enacting legislation to create a young logger apprentice program under the direction of BOCES, New York helps recruit young loggers to the profession and preserves the wood products industry as a vital component of the state's agricultural sector. For all of the aforementioned reasons it is essential that this legislation is enacted.

Legislative history

New bill.

Fiscal implications

To be determined.

Effective date

This act shall take effect immediately.