The latest news related to the economic interests of family forest landowners and their unique natural resource assets.
FLA Commends the USFWS for Clarifying the Regulatory Burden on private Forest Landowners
The US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) has issued a memo directing its staff that the use of mandatory language related to incidental take permits is “not appropriate” in communications with private forest landowners. The decision confirms that seeking an Incidental...
FLA Supports Full and Permanent Repeal of the Federal Estate Tax
What is needed are permanent tax policies that do not punish capital-intensive businesses like forestry, and that do not hinder the next generation from continuing the forest legacy of their parents, grandparents and often great grandparents. The Forest Landowners Association continues to support the full repeal of the estate tax repeal.
Expanding and Growing Foreign Markets for Timber
In 2016, the United States exported $38 billion worth of forestry products, with $3.4 billion accounting for lumber. Data from the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service indicates that China is the largest consumer of American wood and wood products, with imports...
The Opportunity for Tax Reform is Now
FLA is at the forefront ensuring policy makers understand the unique operations of managing and owning timberland regarding tax policy. The Quick Update The Senate took a significant step toward its goal of overhauling the tax code with the passing of a budget...
FLA Lauds Final Determination Decision on Imports of Softwood Lumber from Canada
FLA Lauds Final Determination Decision on Imports of Softwood Lumber from Canada November 2, 2017 - The US Commerce Department today announced final anti-dumping and anti-subsidy tariffs on imports of Canadian softwood lumber products into the United States. This...
Call to Action on Tax Reform
Help the Senate Pass Tax Reform! Tell Your Story to Your Senators Today. House Kills the Death Tax; Your Voice is Needed in the Senate Last week, the House passed the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, H.R. 1, which provides a path to permanent repeal of the death tax. The...
ITC Ruling Positive For Timber Markets
ITC Determination A Step in the Right Direction for Timber Markets Earlier this morning, the United States International Trade Commission (ITC) made affirmative determinations in its final phase of antidumping and countervailing duty investigations regarding softwood...
Louisiana Pine Snake Ruling Deadline Extended Because of Data and Scientific Uncertainty
In response to concerns expressed by the Forest Landowners Association (FLA) and other stakeholders, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) announced last week a six-month extension on the final determination to list the Louisiana Pinesnake under the...
Q&A with Robert Crosby | Why do Landowners Need a Softwood Lumber Agreement with Canada?
The Forest Landowners Association (FLA) recently spoke with Robert Crosby, FLA president and fourth-generation landowner, to get his perspective on the Canadian softwood lumber trade issue and its critical importance to private forest landowners in the...
Recent Actions by Trump Administration on Fair Trade Positive for Forest Landowners
On Sept. 26, the U.S. Commerce Department imposed preliminary anti-subsidy duties on the import of Canadian aircraft manufacturer Bombardier’s CSeries jets. This indication of the Trump Administration’s strong stance on unfair trade subsidies is a...
Tax Reform Blueprint
On Sept. 27, 2017, a group of senior White House officials and Republican leadership in the House and Senate released a tax reform blueprint that includes several major provisions aimed at reducing complexities in the tax code and promoting growth and investment....
House Vote: Tax Cuts & Jobs Act
One More Hurdle to Clear Before Celebrations Can Begin Legislation provides much needed relief and will help sustain the role private forests play in rural economies and the environment. Today, the House of Representatives is set to vote on the Tax Cuts & Jobs Act....
Valuations: IRS 2704 Rule Changes
During the waning months of the Obama Administration, the IRS proposed changes to section 2704(b) that would remove legitimate valuation discounts for estate, gift and generation skipping taxes. In a significant victory for family forest owners, the...
White House Recognizes Caretakers of America’s Forests
In recognition of National Forest Products Week, President Trump issued a proclamation to highlight the critical importance of strong markets to the long-term vitality of privately-owned forests in the U.S.
Forest Landowners Applaud Treasury Department Decision to Withdraw Section 2407 Proposed Regulations
OCTOBER 4, 2017 — In a significant victory for family forest owners, the Treasury Department, in response to President Trump’s Executive Order, announced on Monday that the Section 2407 proposed regulations would be withdrawn (view the full release). The proposed...
September 2017 Policy Updates
Congress returned to Washington to a heavy workload with several items focused on issues of importance for forestry ownership. FLA has been deeply engaged on all fronts ensuring legislation and administration policy is favorable to rolling back regulations,...
Forest Landowners tell USFWS how listing NLEB is unnecessary.
Using the Forest America platform, a call to action was sent to the forestry community urging them to submit comments opposing the potential listing of Northern Long-Eared Bat. In less than 3 weeks, 158 comments from 26 states were submitted to the USFWS. Comments...
Sen. Thune Introduces Bill to Stop Endangered Listing of Long-Eared Bat
U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) has introduced a bill (S.655) to prevent the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) from listing the northern long-eared bat under the Endangered Species Act (ESA).
Supreme Court’s invalidation of the Tailoring Rule is an opportunity for EPA on biomass
Washington, DC, July 9, 2014 reported by NAFO - Last month the U.S. Supreme Court invalidated the Tailoring Rule, thereby addressing one of the key risks of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) treating biomass energy carbon emissions the same as fossil fuel...
Transparency, Sound Science, and Inclusion of States & Localities Needed in ESA Listing Decisions
In early September, the House Natural Resources Committee held a Full Committee legislative hearing on six pieces of legislation aimed at updating and improving the Endangered Species Act (ESA), a law that has not been reauthorized since 1988. This hearing is the...