KTSAF Web Site: http://www.ktsaf.org

We now have a permanent web site: please check it regularly to keep up-to-date with forestry in Kentucky and Tennessee and KTSAF activities.

KTSAF progress during the first quarter of 2000 - David Walters, Chair, KTSAF

During the Executive Committee meeting at Mammoth Cave, your leadership generated a list of priorities for the year. Among those listed were several items prompting KTSAF to make comments on public policy. I’m proud to report that through Rick Wilcox’s leadership and the participation of several members (including Jeff Stringer) we’ve contacted Senators and Representatives in both Kentucky and Tennessee on TMDL (total maximum daily load)/Water Quality issues.

Through the leadership of the East Tennessee Chapter, Gary Schneider authored the KTSAF comments to the Commissioner of Agriculture on the reorganization plans for the Division of Forestry in Tennessee.

Other priorities listed included: outreach to public on Forestry, work with organizations such as TCL, TFA, KFIA etc. and recruit new members. Positive progress has been made on each of these priorities this quarter.

Diana Gennette is conducting a forestry program for sixth graders near Chattanooga. Bud Morton and Mike Black are board members of TCL and actively promoting forestry in their roles. Gail O’Neill, working as Communications Committee Chair of SAF has been writing news articles on Forestry and sending them to SAF media volunteers across the country. Bob Bauer and Tim Queary of KFIA are working with a whole host of other foresters and agencies to wrap up the Kentucky Forests Forever CD project. And individuals in both states are actively recruiting new KTSAF members by inviting foresters they work around.

While KTSAF may not get the credit for positive activities in influencing forest policy, KTSAF members are doing the good work.

The SAF Ethics Committee has been working for several years on revising the Code of Ethics. The Committee's most recent proposal was printed in the April issue of The Forestry Source. This will be the final published version of the Committee's proposed changes prior to submission to SAF Council, who will be asked to place the proposal on the Fall ballot as a referendum issue. The Ethics Committee has received little response on earlier proposals from either the SAF leadership or the grass roots membership. Please make a diligent effort to let your unit know that this important process is drawing to a close. Please send comments on the proposal to Sam Radcliffe, Chair of the SAF Ethics Committee, preferably by e-mail to samr@gbandco.com by fax to (414) 276-5206 or by regular mail at George Banzhaf & Company, 225 E. Michigan Street, Suite 210, Milwaukee, WI 53202

KTSAF has received $500 from the Foresters Fund to recruit new members. Rick Wilcox is the point person for this grant, so contact him for details: (859) 745-3156, fax: (859) 744-1568, e-mail: rwilcox@fs.fed.us.

KTSAF has also submitted a grant request for $400 to cover the fee for the forestry booth at the FFA Convention to be held in Louisville this fall. Rick Wilcox is also the contact on this project and would like assistance in setting up the display and staffing the booth.

Teachers Conservation Workshop in Tennessee - Allan Houston

The Third Teachers Conservation Workshop will be held in West Tennessee this coming July 16-21. This is an outgrowth of the Woods Walk-Woods Talk program and is supported by significant grants from the Tennessee Forestry Association and Lumbermen's Education Foundation. Preston Padgett, PCA, is keenly involved in the agenda, keeps the whole show running and acts as MC for the week's activities. Allan Houston and David Mercker will provide instruction for a course that offers University credit. Other support comes from a wide range of corporate and private sponsors. The course ranges from two days spent at Ames Plantation studying ecological and management issues to a day that is spent following logs from the woods through the stages of lumber or pulp into final form as flooring or paper. One teacher, who took the course twice, noted, "I found the entire scope of activities and material given were all most worthwhile. " For the first time a second Workshop, under the direction of Dr. Wayne Clatterbuck--who was very instrumental in getting the first two Workshops in west Tennessee up and going, will be held in east Tennessee

This spring, fifteen students from the UT Forestry Club/SAF Student Chapter attended the 43^rd Annual Association of Southern Forestry Clubs’ Conclave held March 30^th - April 2^nd in Pineville, LA. Club members competed in eight technical and fourteen physical events ranging from dendrology to log chopping. Of fourteen teams representing forestry schools from throughout the South, the UT Forestry Club team placed first in Timber Estimation, second in Axe Throwing, and fourth in Log Burling, Archery, and Wildlife. Both participation and overall team success were up from last year. Partial funding for the trip was generously provided by Dean Mary Albrecht, forestry professionals, and faculty members. Remaining funds were raised through sales of Christmas trees, t-shirts, and hamburgers.

In a perfect world everyone would have the same set of values, good science would take precedence over emotion and politics would protect future generations as well as present generations. If everyone had the same set of values it would be a pretty boring world. Science is a tool used to help people, so inevitably it becomes manipulated to meet people’s needs or expectations and future generations do not vote.

Decisions are made based upon the imperfect world we live in. Many foresters work for companies, or agencies that they strongly support. When the Society takes a stand and makes recommendations for changes in companies or agencies it attempts to address the inconsistencies, errors, omissions or fallacies of a decision. It is not attacking the decision maker or the organization.

Even the Society can make errors in the positions it takes. Fortunately our membership has come together to improve our response to issues and our credibility as knowledgeable, responsible professionals is growing in Washington and other centers of government. It remains important that we speak as a profession and not an avocation.

The policy committee is attempting to use the research and expertise of our membership (both nationally and locally) to respond to major policy decisions that affect the Forestry Profession. Because each of you has a different set of values you may not agree completely with what we say. I hope that whatever the issue, we have raised the awareness of possible inconsistencies, errors, omissions or fallacies of a decision as it relates to the Forestry Profession and the practice of Forestry.

Some policies and decisions may be the best political decision at the time. That does not make it the best decision for Forestry, the Forestry Profession or for future generations. Even as we address the issue we may recognize our input will not likely change the policy or decision. Our hope is to influence the present decision, but it may instead cause a follow-up decision or begin the process of improving our credibility and standing on the issue in future deliberations.

The importance of Forestry and the Forestry Profession will only become apparent if it is brought forward in the deliberations of issues, decisions or policies.

The Society has made great strides in becoming a part of the deliberative process. It is important that we continue to improve our stature as an important part of the natural resource agenda.

If you have concerns about decisions or policies as they relate to the natural resource agenda, the best way to have an influence is become involved. The Policy Committee would accept all the help that is offered.

On March 28, 2000, Bill Banzhaf, SAF Executive Vice-President, testified before the US House of Representatives' Committee on Appropriations' Subcommittee on Interior and Related Agencies on the Forest Service research budget and priorities. In his testimony, Banzhaf supported funding for the Forest Inventory and Analysis program, restoration research, and social science research. For a copy of Banzhaf’s testimony, see the SAF web site at http://www.safnet.org/policy/statements.htm

On April 6, 2000, Bill Banzhaf testified before the US House of Representatives' Committee on Appropriations' Subcommittee on Interior and Related Agencies. For a copy of the complete testimony, see the SAF web site at http://www.safnet.org/policy/statements.htm

Senators Orrin Hatch (R-UT) and Mary Landrieu (D-LA) are circulating a letter in the Senate requesting that EPA rescind its proposed TMDL regulation. Typically, Senators will sponsor a letter such as this one and invite other Senators to support the intent of the letter by adding their signatures. Obviously, the more signatures, the stronger the message to EPA. You, too, can be part of this process. We encourage you to contact your Senator and ask that s/he sign the letter. For more information on the proposed TMDL regulation or the letter, please contact Amie Brown at (301) 897-8720 ext. 115, fax (301) 897-3690 or e-mail: browna@safnet.org.

At a press briefing on March 23, 2000, the SAF in concert with the American Tree Farm System and the National Association of State Foresters once again voiced strong opposition toward an EPA proposal that would categorize forestry activities on private forestlands as a "point source" of pollution. The hotly contested EPA proposal, which would in essence equate forestry with sewage disposal, is being examined by the US Congress during a series of hearings on Capitol Hill. To view a copy of the press release regarding the briefing, see the SAF web site at http://www.safnet.org/ archive/tmdl32300.doc

On August 23, 1999, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published two proposed rules that would significantly expand the current total maximum daily load (TMDL) program under the Clean Water Act (collectively referred to as the TMDL rule). In response to the proposed rule, Congress has held more than half a dozen hearings regarding the TMDL rule.

The next hearing is slated for May 6 at the Whitefield, New Hampshire to consider the TMDL legislation. For further information on this or other hearings, please contact Amie Brown at (301) 897-8720 ext. 115 or e-mail: browna @safnet.org or your SAF State Chair.

The US Forest Service announced that the proposed roads management policy's (published in the federal Register on March 3, 2000) public comment period has been extended by 15 days. This extension moves the comment period from May 3, 2000 to a new closing date of May 17, 2000. See http://www.fs.fed.us/ news/roads/ for more information.

The House Resources Committee voted on April 5, 2000 to pass H.R. 4021 to delay the establishment of a national monument encompassing Sequoia groves in the Sequoia National Forest. The delay would allow for a study on how to manage the trees. However, on April 15, 2000, President Clinton designated the national monument, and the bill's authors instead turned their attention to coming up with an appropriate management plan. The SAF Northern California's position is available in the members only section at http: //www.humboldt.edu/~csy1/NorCalSAF/legpol.html

Position Statements - Cynthia Stiffler, Forest Policy Program Assistant

SAF has presented testimony before Congress and commented in writing to both Congress and various Federal Agencies concerning many issues that are important to the forestry profession. Below is a list of positions written since the first of the year. They are all available on our Policy and Media web page at: http: //www.safnet.org/policy/statements.htm.

· Comments on the Environmental Protection Agency's Total Maximum Daily Load Program and National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Proposed Rules

· Comments on the Forest Service Proposal Regarding Land and Resource Management Planning

· Proposed Forest Service Planning Regulations by Donald G. Arganbright

· Proposed Forest Service Planning Regulations by Arthur W. Cooper

· Proposed Forest Service Planning Regulations by Donald E. Floyd

· Proposed Fiscal Year 2001 Department of Agriculture Budget

· Proposed Fiscal Year 2001 Interior and Related Agencies Budget

· Forest Service Research Program

· Federal Forest Payments to Counties

Cynthia Stiffler can be contacted at (301)897-8720 x.114, fax: (301)897-3690, e-mail: stifflec@safnet.org

Where was the first SAF section organized and in what month and year? The correct answer is Missoula, Montana in 1912. Many SAF members submitted correct answers for March's question and the lucky winner randomly selected was Steve Ricketts from Hadlock, WA. March's prize was a SAF tie tack.

You too can be a winner. Each month, the web site will feature a new Centennial Trivia question, and prizes will be awarded to the person with the correct answer. If more than one correct answer is submitted, the winner will be randomly selected. So you're not a history buff? Don't be discouraged. There is a clue on the web site that will lead you to the correct answer. Just follow the clue and win!

The question for the month of May is "In what year did the topic ‘Industrial Forestry’ first appear in an editorial in the Journal of Forestry?"

If you think you know the answer or want to follow the clue, go to the Centennial Web Trivia Contest located in the "Members Only" area at http://www.safnet.org/members/ trivia2000 (User ID: Your six digit membership number: Password: The first eight characters of your last name. Be sure to capitalize the first letter. If your last name is less than eight characters, enter your full last name).

(Editor’s note: As of May 1, your membership ID number used as the user name is to be without leading zeros. That is, if your membership number is 315, use 315 instead of 000315.)

Jennifer Plyler can be contacted at (301) 897-8720 ext. 117; fax (301)897-3690; or e-mail: plylerj@safnet.org

Our list of Centennial celebrations grows longer every week! It is wonderful to hear and read about the variety of events hosted by SAF units. If you are still looking for ideas on how your unit can celebrate, check out the "Local Unit Activities" section of the SAF web site at http://www. safnet.org/calendar/centprojects.htm . Perhaps someone else's great idea will inspire you to act!

Foresters' Fund Grants and an Archiving Grant (if you did not receive one already) are available to help fund Centennial activities. The next deadline for Foresters' Fund Grant applications is June 15; Archiving Grants applications are accepted anytime.

Our goal of contributing to 100 Habitat for Humanity homes by the end of 2001 is progressing nicely! To date, SAF members have participated in 26 projects, with 12 more planned. Our newest projects in the works are in Arizona, New Mexico, and Southern California.

One way to participate is to join an HFH project that is already planned or in progress. To find out about these projects across the country, check out the HFH calendar at http://www.habitat.org/ GV/events.html With project dates, descriptions, and contact information listed, it couldn't be easier!

Please remember to update the SAF National Office on your HFH participation.

Foresters' Fund Grants: Louise Murgia, Affiliate Services Manager, (301) 897-8720 ext. 118 or e-mail: murgial@safnet.org; also check the SAF web site at: http: //www.safnet.org/members/app_spec.html

Habitat for Humanity:Louise Murgia, Affiliate Services Manager, (301) 897-8720 ext. 118 or e-mail: murgial@safnet.org;or CJ Hall, Centennial Assistant, at (301) 897-8720 ext. 155, or e-mail: hallcj @safnet.org Also see the SAF web site at: http://www.safnet.org/calendar/ centprojects.htm#HFH

or the Habitat for Humanity web site at:

http://www.habitat.org/

Archiving Grants: C.J. Hall, Centennial Assistant, (301) 897-8720 ext. 155 or e-mail: hallcj@safnet.org; also check the SAF web site at: http://www.safnet. org/members/cent_archive.html

The Greatest Good Wins SNAP Award - C.J. Hall, Centennial Assistant

The Society of American Foresters (SAF) has been awarded a Gold Award for The Greatest Good: 100 Years of Forestry in America in the 2000 Society of National Association Publications (SNAP) EXCEL Awards competition. SNAP, the non-profit, professional society serving the needs of association publishers and communications professionals, presents the EXCEL Awards to recognize the pursuit of excellence in association publishing. The EXCEL Awards luncheon will take place Wednesday, June 7, at the Hyatt Bethesda Regency in Bethesda, Maryland.

This is the second award for The Greatest Good. In 1999, it was named a winner in the book category of the Association Trends Publications Contest.

With continuing changes in telephone area codes and email addresses, updating continues.

James R. Anderson O=(423) 476-9737, H=(423) 478-3298

Richard Wilcox O=(859)745-3156, H=(859)498-7314, F=(859)744-1568, email=rwilcox@fs.fed.us

Laurie Smith email=lauriesmith@fs.fed.us

John Strojan email=johnstrojan@fs.fed.us

You are welcome and encouraged to submit material for the next KTSAF Newsletter. News and reports related to chapter and state SAF activities is particularly important. Send to Mark Young: jmyoung@utk.edu. Deadline is July 25.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

John C. Rennie, Newsletter Editor

Kentucky Tennessee Society of American Foresters

c/o U.T. Department of Forestry, Wildlife and Fisheries

P.O. Box 1071

Knoxville, TN 37901-1071