Governor Bentley Announces Creation of Alabama Forest Recovery Task Force

MONTGOMERY— Governor Robert Bentley today announced the creation of a task force to help remove fallen timber from and reforest areas affected by the April tornado outbreak. The Alabama Forest Recovery Task Force (AFRTF) was created by executive order to facilitate timber salvage efforts, to maximize the recovery of timber damaged by the April storms and to limit the loss of timber volume and value.

 

Preliminary estimates reveal that the April 2011 storms damaged at least 231,181 acres across 35 counties with an estimated value of $294 million.

 

“Alabama forests are an important part of the storm recovery process both in terms of the beauty and recreation they provide, but also for the economic value they have and the jobs that the forest products industry provides to Alabama’s overall economy,” said Governor Robert Bentley. “The members of this task force will work diligently to make sure this industry recovers as quickly as possible and I appreciate their willingness to serve on the Alabama Forest Recovery Task Force.”  

 

Tommy Thompson, an executive with Louisiana Pacific Corp. from Thomasville, Alabama, will serve as chairman of the task force. The task force will consist of thirty-three appointed members from the business, government and forestry communities.

 

The objectives of the AFRTF are the following:

(1)   Move damaged timber as quickly as possible to wood using or storage facilities;     

(2)   Expand the market for damaged timber beyond wood utilizing facilities in the affected areas;

(3)   Promote the development of long term wood storage facilities;

(4)   Decrease barriers to the safe, effective and economic harvest and transport of damaged timber;

(5)   Communicate the challenges and successes of the timber salvage effort to landowners, wood using facilities, professional loggers and the public;

(6)   Monitor and record salvage efforts; and

(7)   Assist and advise landowners regarding the reforestation of their affected land.

 

Chris Isaacson, Executive Vice President of the Alabama Forestry Association, thanked the Governor for creating the task force and emphasized the need to move quickly.

“It’s imperative that the clean up and salvage process begin quickly because the wood starts degrading as soon as it hits the ground,” Isaacson said. “These timber stands are a significant asset to many of these landowners who rely on their forests to fund their children’s education, their retirement and other critical expenditures.”        

 

State Forester Linda Casey also thanked the Governor, and mirrored Isaacson’s sentiments about the necessity to move with utmost speed in getting help to forest landowners dealing with this terrible disaster.

“The magnitude of the devastation across Alabama from the recent tornadoes requires an unprecedented effort. The creation of the ‘Forest Recovery Task Force’ is the first step in ensuring that Alabama Forestland, urban forests, and our natural resources will be revitalized in the affected areas,” said Ms. Casey.

 

The first meeting of the AFRTC is scheduled for Tuesday, May 17 at 1:00 p.m. at the Alabama Cattlemen’s Association in Montgomery.