Windknot
02-01-06, 05:21 PM
SUMMARY OF RELEASES FOR FEBRUARY 1, 2006
1. GOVERNOR SONNY PERDUE ANNOUNCES FORESTRY FOR WILDLIFE PARTNERS
Gov. Sonny Perdue recently recognized five major corporate forest landowners in Georgia for their good stewardship in land management and their outstanding practices benefiting the state's wildlife. Georgia Power, International Paper, MeadWestvaco, Temple-Inland and Plum Creek received awards for participating in the 2005 Forestry for Wildlife Partnership, a program administered by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Wildlife Resources Division (WRD). The Forestry for Wildlife Partnership (FWP) is a voluntary annual program that promotes blending wildlife conservation into corporate forestry practices and offers a variety of choices from which landowners can build a program compatible with their forest management objectives.
2. INITIAL APPLICATION PERIOD FOR SUBMERGED LOG HARVEST PERMITS OPEN NOW THROUGH FEBRUARY 17, 2006TO BEGIN IN JANUARY
The Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Wildlife Resources Division (WRD) will begin accepting has reopened the application period sfor submerged log harvest permits in early January. Applications will be accepted from Jan. 30- Feb. 17, 2006. During this period, applications will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, except that a random drawing will be used to determine which applicant will receive a river segment if applications are received on the same day for the same segment. This annual permit will allow for the removal of commercially harvested sunken logs from an exclusive two-mile section of the Flint and Altamaha rivers.
For more information on Forestry for Wildlife, contact:
Ben Johnson, WRD Public Affairs Specialist: (770) 918-6426
Lisa Doty, WRD Public Affairs Coordinator: (770) 918-6787
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
GOVERNOR SONNY PERDUE ANNOUNCES FORESTRY FOR WILDLIFE PARTNERS
ATLANTA, Ga. (February 1, 2006) - Gov. Sonny Perdue recently recognized five major corporate forest landowners in Georgia for their good stewardship in land management and their outstanding practices benefiting the state's wildlife. Georgia Power, International Paper, MeadWestvaco, Temple-Inland and Plum Creek received awards for participating in the 2005 Forestry for Wildlife Partnership, a program administered by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Wildlife Resources Division (WRD). The Forestry for Wildlife Partnership (FWP) is a voluntary annual program that promotes blending wildlife conservation into corporate forestry practices and offers a variety of choices from which landowners can build a program compatible with their forest management objectives.
"Private sector land management practices are a major part of our efforts to conserve Georgia's natural resources. To become a Forestry for Wildlife Partner, companies must consistently perform land management activities that benefit wildlife and exceed the current regulatory and industry certification standards," said Gov. Perdue.
WRD recognizes Georgia Power, International Paper, MeadWestvaco, Temple-Inland and Plum Creek as Forestry for Wildlife Partners for the integration of wildlife conservation practices into their forest management programs. Some of these practices include:
· Preparing wildlife conservation plans detailing natural resources inventories and outlining the management strategies for blending forest management with wildlife management.
· Providing internal training opportunities for employees on how to blend forestland management with "wildlife friendly" practices for multiple natural resource benefits.
· Incorporating wildlife management techniques into current land-use planning and timber management practices.
· Providing valuable data for WRD research projects.
· Providing public recreational opportunities on corporate forest lands.
· Participating in various partnerships with conservation organizations through programs such as Partners in Flight, the Longleaf Alliance, the Breeding Bird Atlas and the Georgia Herp Atlas.
· Managing riparian forests for wildlife use and water quality protection.
"In 2005, five companies that manage more than two million acres of forestlands in Georgia were able to achieve the distinction of being a Forestry for Wildlife member," said DNR Commissioner Noel Holcomb. "We have set the bar very high for natural resource conservation in Georgia. These corporate forest landowners have responded by participating in this innovative partnership."
Conservation efforts benefit from FWP through managing endangered red-cockaded woodpecker habitats, managing and monitoring bald eagle and swallow-tailed kite nesting, managing isolated wetlands critical to protected reptiles and amphibians like the gopher frog, managing rare remnant Coosa Valley Prairie and Black Belt Prairie habitats containing endangered plants and providing more than two million acres for public hunting opportunities.
All of the conservation enhancement components and reporting procedures are compatible with the American Forest and Paper Association's Sustainable Forestry Initiative, a voluntary approach within the forest industry to maintain high environmental standards on lands managed by corporate landowners. The Association honored WRD with the Wildlife Stewardship Award for developing and coordinating the Forestry for Wildlife Program.
For more information about Forestry for Wildlife or other private lands initiatives call (770) 761-1697 or go to www.georgiawildlife.com (http://www.georgia-outdoors.com/forum/www.georgiawildlife.com). ###
For more information, contact
Melissa Cummings, Sr. Public Relations and Information Specialist - (770) 918-6788
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
INITIAL APPLICATION PERIOD FOR SUBMERGED LOG HARVEST PERMITS OPEN NOW THROUGH FEBRUARY 17, 2006
ALBANY, Ga. (February 1, 2006) - The Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Wildlife Resources Division (WRD) has re-opened the application period for submerged log harvest permits. Applications will be accepted from Jan. 30- Feb. 17, 2006. During this period, applications will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, except that a random drawing will be used to determine which applicant will receive a river segment if applications are received on the same day for the same segment. This annual permit will allow for the removal of commercially harvested sunken logs from an exclusive two-mile section of the Flint and Altamaha rivers.
During the 1800's and early 1900's, the rafting of commercially harvested logs down Georgia's rivers and streams was a common practice for transporting timber to coastal markets. It is estimated that approximately five percent of these logs sank to the bottom, resulting in sunken commercially harvested logs located on the bottom of Georgia's rivers. In recent years there has been increasing interest in salvage logging, often called deadhead logging, to recover these old growth logs. The sunken logs, from trees often a century old or older, have different wood characteristics than modern lumber, and are considered extremely valuable. Recovered old growth logs are used for unique wood flooring and paneling, and other specialty products. Old growth logs have very tight growth rings. During salvage operations, logs are lifted from the bottom and growth rings checked, and those with tight rings are removed from the river.
The Georgia legislature passed a bill (S.B. 283) allowing for the recovery of submerged logs from the Flint and Altamaha rivers, and Governor Perdue signed this bill into law. The bill directs the Department to establish a program to allow recovery of submerged logs from these two rivers through January 1, 2008. The bill includes certain provisions such as a $10,000 annual permit fee, a $50,000 bond and additional compensation to DNR for recovery of these logs. The DNR Board set the compensation rate at $1.28/board foot. The compensation rate is subject to change and currently is under review by the attorney generals office.
The Department has developed log harvest policies for the protection of public interests including public safety and water quality, wildlife and wildlife habitat, commercial and recreational fisheries, state and federal threatened and endangered species, land use, effects on stream bank property, protection of public boat landings or other public assets, the preservation and protection of other submerged cultural resources and other similar issues.
The application for a submerged log harvest permit and electronic maps showing the two-mile river sections open to log removal will be available at the Albany and Waycross Fisheries Management offices and on-line at www.georgiawildlife.com (http://www.georgia-outdoors.com/forum/www.georgiawildlife.com). An electronic copy of the application and maps can be emailed or sent by CD upon request to interested applicants.
For more information, contact Adam Kaeser at the WRD Fisheries Management Office (229) 430-4256 (Albany). ###
1. GOVERNOR SONNY PERDUE ANNOUNCES FORESTRY FOR WILDLIFE PARTNERS
Gov. Sonny Perdue recently recognized five major corporate forest landowners in Georgia for their good stewardship in land management and their outstanding practices benefiting the state's wildlife. Georgia Power, International Paper, MeadWestvaco, Temple-Inland and Plum Creek received awards for participating in the 2005 Forestry for Wildlife Partnership, a program administered by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Wildlife Resources Division (WRD). The Forestry for Wildlife Partnership (FWP) is a voluntary annual program that promotes blending wildlife conservation into corporate forestry practices and offers a variety of choices from which landowners can build a program compatible with their forest management objectives.
2. INITIAL APPLICATION PERIOD FOR SUBMERGED LOG HARVEST PERMITS OPEN NOW THROUGH FEBRUARY 17, 2006TO BEGIN IN JANUARY
The Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Wildlife Resources Division (WRD) will begin accepting has reopened the application period sfor submerged log harvest permits in early January. Applications will be accepted from Jan. 30- Feb. 17, 2006. During this period, applications will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, except that a random drawing will be used to determine which applicant will receive a river segment if applications are received on the same day for the same segment. This annual permit will allow for the removal of commercially harvested sunken logs from an exclusive two-mile section of the Flint and Altamaha rivers.
For more information on Forestry for Wildlife, contact:
Ben Johnson, WRD Public Affairs Specialist: (770) 918-6426
Lisa Doty, WRD Public Affairs Coordinator: (770) 918-6787
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
GOVERNOR SONNY PERDUE ANNOUNCES FORESTRY FOR WILDLIFE PARTNERS
ATLANTA, Ga. (February 1, 2006) - Gov. Sonny Perdue recently recognized five major corporate forest landowners in Georgia for their good stewardship in land management and their outstanding practices benefiting the state's wildlife. Georgia Power, International Paper, MeadWestvaco, Temple-Inland and Plum Creek received awards for participating in the 2005 Forestry for Wildlife Partnership, a program administered by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Wildlife Resources Division (WRD). The Forestry for Wildlife Partnership (FWP) is a voluntary annual program that promotes blending wildlife conservation into corporate forestry practices and offers a variety of choices from which landowners can build a program compatible with their forest management objectives.
"Private sector land management practices are a major part of our efforts to conserve Georgia's natural resources. To become a Forestry for Wildlife Partner, companies must consistently perform land management activities that benefit wildlife and exceed the current regulatory and industry certification standards," said Gov. Perdue.
WRD recognizes Georgia Power, International Paper, MeadWestvaco, Temple-Inland and Plum Creek as Forestry for Wildlife Partners for the integration of wildlife conservation practices into their forest management programs. Some of these practices include:
· Preparing wildlife conservation plans detailing natural resources inventories and outlining the management strategies for blending forest management with wildlife management.
· Providing internal training opportunities for employees on how to blend forestland management with "wildlife friendly" practices for multiple natural resource benefits.
· Incorporating wildlife management techniques into current land-use planning and timber management practices.
· Providing valuable data for WRD research projects.
· Providing public recreational opportunities on corporate forest lands.
· Participating in various partnerships with conservation organizations through programs such as Partners in Flight, the Longleaf Alliance, the Breeding Bird Atlas and the Georgia Herp Atlas.
· Managing riparian forests for wildlife use and water quality protection.
"In 2005, five companies that manage more than two million acres of forestlands in Georgia were able to achieve the distinction of being a Forestry for Wildlife member," said DNR Commissioner Noel Holcomb. "We have set the bar very high for natural resource conservation in Georgia. These corporate forest landowners have responded by participating in this innovative partnership."
Conservation efforts benefit from FWP through managing endangered red-cockaded woodpecker habitats, managing and monitoring bald eagle and swallow-tailed kite nesting, managing isolated wetlands critical to protected reptiles and amphibians like the gopher frog, managing rare remnant Coosa Valley Prairie and Black Belt Prairie habitats containing endangered plants and providing more than two million acres for public hunting opportunities.
All of the conservation enhancement components and reporting procedures are compatible with the American Forest and Paper Association's Sustainable Forestry Initiative, a voluntary approach within the forest industry to maintain high environmental standards on lands managed by corporate landowners. The Association honored WRD with the Wildlife Stewardship Award for developing and coordinating the Forestry for Wildlife Program.
For more information about Forestry for Wildlife or other private lands initiatives call (770) 761-1697 or go to www.georgiawildlife.com (http://www.georgia-outdoors.com/forum/www.georgiawildlife.com). ###
For more information, contact
Melissa Cummings, Sr. Public Relations and Information Specialist - (770) 918-6788
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
INITIAL APPLICATION PERIOD FOR SUBMERGED LOG HARVEST PERMITS OPEN NOW THROUGH FEBRUARY 17, 2006
ALBANY, Ga. (February 1, 2006) - The Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Wildlife Resources Division (WRD) has re-opened the application period for submerged log harvest permits. Applications will be accepted from Jan. 30- Feb. 17, 2006. During this period, applications will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, except that a random drawing will be used to determine which applicant will receive a river segment if applications are received on the same day for the same segment. This annual permit will allow for the removal of commercially harvested sunken logs from an exclusive two-mile section of the Flint and Altamaha rivers.
During the 1800's and early 1900's, the rafting of commercially harvested logs down Georgia's rivers and streams was a common practice for transporting timber to coastal markets. It is estimated that approximately five percent of these logs sank to the bottom, resulting in sunken commercially harvested logs located on the bottom of Georgia's rivers. In recent years there has been increasing interest in salvage logging, often called deadhead logging, to recover these old growth logs. The sunken logs, from trees often a century old or older, have different wood characteristics than modern lumber, and are considered extremely valuable. Recovered old growth logs are used for unique wood flooring and paneling, and other specialty products. Old growth logs have very tight growth rings. During salvage operations, logs are lifted from the bottom and growth rings checked, and those with tight rings are removed from the river.
The Georgia legislature passed a bill (S.B. 283) allowing for the recovery of submerged logs from the Flint and Altamaha rivers, and Governor Perdue signed this bill into law. The bill directs the Department to establish a program to allow recovery of submerged logs from these two rivers through January 1, 2008. The bill includes certain provisions such as a $10,000 annual permit fee, a $50,000 bond and additional compensation to DNR for recovery of these logs. The DNR Board set the compensation rate at $1.28/board foot. The compensation rate is subject to change and currently is under review by the attorney generals office.
The Department has developed log harvest policies for the protection of public interests including public safety and water quality, wildlife and wildlife habitat, commercial and recreational fisheries, state and federal threatened and endangered species, land use, effects on stream bank property, protection of public boat landings or other public assets, the preservation and protection of other submerged cultural resources and other similar issues.
The application for a submerged log harvest permit and electronic maps showing the two-mile river sections open to log removal will be available at the Albany and Waycross Fisheries Management offices and on-line at www.georgiawildlife.com (http://www.georgia-outdoors.com/forum/www.georgiawildlife.com). An electronic copy of the application and maps can be emailed or sent by CD upon request to interested applicants.
For more information, contact Adam Kaeser at the WRD Fisheries Management Office (229) 430-4256 (Albany). ###