On January 23, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of the Army (Army) finalized the Navigable Waters Protection Rule to define “Waters of the United States” (WOTUS) and established federal regulatory authority under the Clean Water Act. The new rule provides more clarity and certainty to enforcement of the Clean Water Act. According
After 18 months of a trade war between the U.S. and China, a “Phase 1” Trade Agreement was signed by both nations earlier this week. While the details of the agreement are still being analyzed, early indications are positive as China has committed to purchases of US forest products as part of the deal. Read more on gfagrow.org →
On Wednesday Jan. 15, U.S. and China formalized a limited trade agreement, or “Phase 1” agreement, signaling a truce in the nearly two-year trade war between the world’s two largest economies and setting the stage for a broader agreement down the road. The agreement calls for China to boost its purchase of American goods and
On Monday, Jan. 13, legislators from across the state will gather in Atlanta under the Gold Dome to gavel in the Georgia General Assembly’s 2020 legislative session, and GFA’s Government Affairs Team will have boots on the ground for the next 40 legislative days to work on critical issues for the forestry supply chain. Planning
Senator Kelly Loeffler, who was recently appointed by Governor Brian Kemp to replace Sen. Johnny Isakson, was appointed to the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry. Read more on agri-pulse.com → Georgia and Florida water dispute heads to Supreme Court. Read more on npr.com → Kendeda Building Director touts mass timber as a solution: “We’ve got this technology
On Thursday, September 12, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) announced the finalization of step one in repealing the 2015 “Waters of the United States” (WOTUS) rule under the Clean Water Act (CWA). The agencies are now recodifying the longstanding and familiar regulatory text that existed prior to the
The second sign-up period for the Hurricane Michael Timber Tax Credit through the Georgia Department of Revenue will remain open until December 31, 2019. Landowners who applied and were pre-approved in the first round need not re-apply. The tax credit applies to landowners with timber damage from Hurricane Michael within the 28-county* state-declared disaster area
More than 530 forest landowners and forestry professionals gathered for the Georgia Forestry Association’s 2019 Annual Conference & Forestry Expo on July 26-28, 2019, on Jekyll Island. “We are extremely grateful for the support of the attendees, sponsors and exhibitors of this year’s event,” GFA President & CEO Andres Villegas said. “The support and excitement
On Monday, June 3, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a $19.1 billion emergency supplemental disaster relief package, which includes some critical funding for private forest landowners who were impacted by natural disasters. The package added $480 million to the Emergency Forest Restoration Program (EFRP), earmarked for private forest owners. In addition, $3.005 billion in