West Virginia Code of State Rules Agency 22 - Forestry
Agency Overview
Agency 22, the Division of Forestry, is a state-level agency responsible for managing, protecting, and conserving West Virginia’s forest resources. Its mission is to sustain healthy forests, promote forest-based economic activities, and protect the environment and public safety.
The Division operates under the West Virginia Department of Commerce or Natural Resources (as specified by state code) and works closely with private landowners, local governments, and community organizations.
Purpose and Objectives
The Division of Forestry is tasked with:
Forest Management and Conservation:
Ensure the sustainable use of forest resources across public and private lands.
Promote practices that maintain forest health, biodiversity, and productivity.
Wildfire Prevention and Control:
Protect communities and forested areas from fire hazards.
Implement fire detection, suppression, and prevention programs.
Economic and Community Support:
Encourage the development of forest-based industries such as timber, paper, and recreation.
Support local economies while maintaining sustainable harvesting practices.
Environmental Protection:
Conserve watersheds, soil quality, and wildlife habitats through forest management.
Minimize negative impacts of forestry activities on ecosystems.
Education and Technical Assistance:
Provide guidance to landowners, schools, and communities on forest stewardship.
Promote awareness of the value of forests and responsible management practices.
Organizational Structure
The Division of Forestry typically consists of:
State Forester or Director:
Leads the Division and oversees statewide forestry programs.
Regional or District Offices:
Implement programs locally, provide technical assistance, and monitor compliance.
Fire and Emergency Response Teams:
Handle wildfire detection, prevention, and suppression operations.
Support Staff and Specialists:
Include forestry technicians, resource managers, and educators who provide expertise in forest management, conservation, and community outreach.
Roles and Responsibilities
Forest Resource Management:
Develop management plans for state forests and assist private landowners.
Monitor forest health, disease outbreaks, and pest infestations.
Promote reforestation and sustainable harvesting practices.
Wildfire Prevention and Control:
Maintain fire lookout systems and firebreaks.
Conduct controlled burns and training for firefighting personnel.
Respond to forest fires and coordinate with local and federal agencies.
Regulatory Oversight:
Enforce rules for timber harvesting, land use, and forest protection.
Issue permits for logging operations and ensure compliance with safety and conservation standards.
Education and Outreach:
Conduct workshops, training programs, and public campaigns on forestry topics.
Promote awareness of sustainable forestry, wildlife protection, and fire safety.
Community and Economic Support:
Collaborate with industries dependent on forest resources.
Provide incentives for private landowners to manage forests sustainably.
Research and Monitoring:
Collect data on forest composition, growth, and health.
Analyze trends to inform policy, conservation strategies, and forest management practices.
Programs and Services
State Forest Management Programs:
Oversight of public forest lands for recreation, timber production, and conservation.
Private Landowner Assistance:
Technical guidance, grants, or incentives to support sustainable forestry practices.
Fire Management Programs:
Wildfire prevention, training, and emergency response.
Forest Health Programs:
Monitoring for pests, diseases, and environmental threats.
Community Education Programs:
School outreach, workshops, and public awareness campaigns.
Key Goals
Maintain healthy and productive forests for ecological, economic, and recreational purposes.
Protect forests and communities from wildfires and environmental threats.
Support sustainable forestry practices on public and private lands.
Educate residents and landowners on responsible forest management.
Ensure long-term conservation and resilience of West Virginia’s forest resources.
In short, West Virginia Code of State Rules Agency 22 – Forestry is responsible for the management, protection, and sustainable use of the state’s forests, balancing economic development, environmental conservation, wildfire control, and community education.
RELATED Blog
0 comments