FIRST REGULAR SESSION

House Concurrent Resolution No. 21

94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

1872L.02I

            Whereas, due to the continued increase in demand for forest products both nationally and internationally, forest crop land values have greatly increased as a result of such demand; and

            Whereas, while Missouri has an abundance of forested acres, the majority of those acres are not under forest management practices; and

            Whereas, in the absence of sustainable forest management practices, yield potentials are not achieved; and

            Whereas, the State Forest Law administered by the Conservation Commission currently provides cost share programs and partial tax relief for lands valued at $400 per acre or less; and

            Whereas, Missouri counties that have forest crop land conveyed to the Conservation Commission and privately-held land designated as forest crop land receive a minimum payment of 50 cents per acre on such land:

            Now, therefore, be it resolved that the members of the House of Representatives of the Ninety-fourth General Assembly, First Regular Session, the Senate concurring therein, hereby instruct the Missouri Conservation Commission to carefully examine all statutes and regulations regarding forest crop lands of the state and prepare a plan to maximize Missouri forest crop sustainability, yield quantity and quality, and bio-mass and forest product utilization; and

            Be it further resolved that the General Assembly further instructs the Missouri Conservation Commission to examine the current cost share program, tax relief program, and offset payments to counties as to fairness, effectiveness, assessability, and utilization; and

            Be it further resolved that the Missouri Conservation Commission make a report of its findings and recommendations regarding the State Forest Law to the Missouri General Assembly and the Governor on or before January 1, 2008; and

            Be it further resolved that the Chief Clerk of the Missouri House of Representatives be instructed to prepare properly inscribed copies of this resolution for Governor Matt Blunt and the Missouri Conservation Commission.