Program Authorization: R.S. 3:4271.1
The mission of the Office of Forestry Program is to protect, conserve and replenish the state's forest resources. The goal of the program is to ensure the sustained high level of production of wood fiber while enhancing the recreational, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and air quality values of forest lands. Protection and management of these valuable forestlands is necessary for future generations. Trees are Louisiana's number one crop. About 25,000 employees work in forestry-related jobs. Each year Louisiana landowners received over hundreds of millions of dollars for forest products sold and removed from their lands. Severance tax receipts from forestry are an important contribution to local and state finances. To carry out its mission, this program conducts an intensive fire detection effort for nearly 19 million forest acres under protection. The office operates nine detection aircraft in the northern half of the state, maintains 50 fire towers and uses fire crews to protect the state's forests. Forestry investigates arson, timber theft and other forestry-related crimes. The program conducts surveillance for Southern Pine Beetle infestation. The Forestry Program provides technical assistance for private forestland owners to encourage use of sound forestry practices. The forest tree-seedling nurseries and orchard provide private forestland owners a reliable source of quality tree seedlings. The Program also provides urban forestry expertise to Louisiana cities and communities. The Program uses conservation education to further understanding and protection of the state's forest resources. The activities of this program are: Administrative, Fire Prevention, Forest Management, and Forest Education.
OBJECTIVES AND PERFORMANCE INDICATORS
Unless otherwise indicated, all objectives are to be accomplished during or by the end of FY 1999-2000. Performance indicators are made up of two parts: name and value. The indicator name describes what is being measured. The indicator value is the numeric value or level achieved within a given measurement period. For budgeting purposes, performance indicator values are shown for the prior fiscal year, the current fiscal year, and alternative funding scenarios (continuation budget level and Executive Budget recommendation level) for the ensuing fiscal year (the fiscal year of the budget document).
RESOURCE ALLOCATION FOR THE PROGRAM
This program is funded with State General Fund, Interagency Transfers, Fees and Self-generated Revenues, Statutory Dedications, and Federal Funds. The Interagency Transfers are received from the Department of Natural Resources for the Atchafalaya Basin Project and for the Vegetated Plantings Projects. The Fees and Self-generated Revenues are derived from the following: (1) timber sales from the State Forests; and (2) fees assessed for prescribed burning and general forestry assistance materials. Statutory Dedications are derived from the Forest Protection Tax and the Forest Productivity Fund. The Forest Protection Tax passed in 1990 and is paid by the landowners at the rate of 8 cents per acre. Statutory Dedications are derived from the Forest Productivity Fund which receives 75% of the state's share of the timber severance tax. (Per R. S. 39:32B.(8), see table below for a listing of expenditures out of each Statutory Dedicated Fund.) Federal Funds are received from the U.S. Forest Service for specific federally funded programs such as: Rural Fire Protection and Control; Urban Forestry Assistance; Inspection and Disease Control; Forestry Stewardship Program; Conservation Reserve Program and the Buck Moth Program.
ANALYSIS OF RECOMMENDATION
The total means of financing for this program is recommended at 98.6% of the existing operating budget. It represents 84.9% of the total request ($19,231,957) for this program. The decrease is primarily due to adjustments to nonrecurring carry forward BA-7s for vehicles ordered timely, but not received prior to June 30, 1998 and for the establishment of the Atchafalaya Basin project funded by Interagency Transfers for the Department of Natural Resources.
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
|
This program does not have funding for Professional Services for Fiscal Year 1999-2000. |
OTHER CHARGES
ACQUISITIONS AND MAJOR REPAIRS
