WVFA Mountain State Forestry Spring 2021

F E A T U R E D N E W S www.wvfa.org Spring 2021 | West Virginia Forestry Association Mountain State Forestry 11 in tax rates year to year. We were able to find a way to modify the initial increase for a reduction and, more importantly, a commitment to work on revising the arcane rule governing the program. This is a year long process so we will be keeping you informed throughout the year. Tax Reform We expect many legislators to look at ways to reform how the state obtains the needed revenues for state government. We will work with our strong business alliances through the West Virginia Business and Industry Council and West Virginia Chamber of Commerce to act on behalf of the forest products sector. Prepare for the Unexpected There is always proposed legislation we did not anticipate that would impacts forests and forest products businesses. By monitoring the proposed legislation, meeting constantly with legislators throughout the session, we can react quickly to these bills. We will ask our members to provide direct action to their legislators through action alerts. COVID-19 Pandemic Challenges The recent Congressional action on COVID Relief includes significant resources for businesses and individuals: Second round SBA Payroll Protection Program for businesses that experienced a 25% decline in revenue in any quarter during 2020 from 2019 with streamlined forgiveness for loans less than $150,000 Logging and Trucking Program through USDA with up to $200 million for logging and log trucking businesses that experience a 10% loss in revenue in 2020 from 2019 Monongahela National Forest The Monongahela National Forest is initiating a new process in 2020. The initial scoping for the Cheat River encompasses 65,000 acres of work over the next ten years. WVFA will be providing comments on this new approach to large scale planning. By providing comments on projects, WVFA will have standing if it becomes necessary to intervene on legal actions taken by others to slow or try to stop these important projects.