IMMEDIATE Request to Speak action for Appropriations meeting at 11 a.m. this morning

SB1477, appropriation, best land management practices (Sens. Otondo: Allen S., Alsto)

On 02/21/2019 SB1477 was adopted by the Senate Water and Agriculture Committee

(I have done my best to transpose the main points from the video. )

At that meeting, they clarified the purpose of the bill. 

It would fund land management including the removal of vegetative products that are hazardous using Best Land Management Practices established by the Land Commission and State Forestry.

It requests a transfer of $4 million from the General Fund to the State Forester 2020.

For any public agency from State, Federal and tribal lands.

Amendment: The termination date extended from July 1, 2027 to July 1, 2029

It is in accordance with the standards of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)

Sen. Otondo has been working on funds for Best Land Practices to bring forest health back especially after watching fires in CA hurting property.

Another committee member said that we need to manage and thin the land. You can see where the fires hit the ground in Prescott. 300 homes were lost near Prescott.

Thinning the land also helps to protect watersheds and water infrastructure in municipalities (like Prescott’s.)

Request to Speak participant:

Representative from Salt River Projects

Weighed in to support of SB1477 because forest run off is a big part of SRP’s water supply.

The amendment adopted by Senate Water and Agriculture Committee, now it goes to the Appropriations Committee at 11 a.m. today, Tuesday, February 26. 

Sign in on Request to Speak and weigh in on SB1477 NOW.