July: Hot with Late Boomers Perhaps the most memorable weather-related observations in July were at the tail-end of the month, when severe thunderstorms on July 30 and 31st rocked many locations in Vermont. Considered by many the most intense storm of the summer, damage on July 30th included downed trees and power outages, notably in
Read More...Forest Health Report || Department of Forests, Parks & Recreation || June 2019 Sweater Weather in June Like May, June featured below-normal temperatures and above normal rainfall. According to weather reporter Matt Sutkoski, the Champlain Valley ended the month near normal temper-ature-wise, but areas away from the lake were cooler. In his July 1 blog,
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Woods Whys: New Book by Forests, Parks and Recreation Commissioner Explores the Hows and Whys of Forests and Forestry MONTPELIER, VT – Have you ever wondered how trees “come back to life” in spring? Why paper birches are so white? Or which trees make the best firewood? A new book by Vermont’s Commissioner of Forests,
Read More...China Hardwood Tariffs will depress prices for now, hurt U.S. sawmills. Of the hardwood lumber produced in the U.S., 24 percent is exported to China and 22 percent is exported to other countries. The new retaliation tariff by China on incoming hardwood lumber to their country from the U.S. will eliminate much of the sales
Read More...Frank Stewart || Executive Director || W. Virginia Forestry Assoc || May 22, 2019 Retaliatory tariffs from China have been a buzzsaw through Appalachian hardwood businesses and the families that own and operate them. The hardwood industry provides an estimated $60 billion economic impact in the 12-state region, but that will change this year because
Read More...Do you own forestland in Vermont? Is it at least 25 acres? The Vermont’s Use Value Appraisal (UVA) program, also called “Current Use” or “Land Use,” enables landowners who practice long-term forest management to have their enrolled land appraised for property taxes based on its value for forestry rather than its fair market (development) value.
Read More...New cap on capital gains exclusion The existing 40% exclusion for capital gains will be capped at $350,000 under Act 71, Sec. 1, effective July 1, 2019. This means that any gain above $875,000 will be taxed at standard income tax rates. Taxpayers who are considering a sales of a large capital asset may want
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Final Ruling on the Northern Long-Eared Bat Summary The northern long-eared bat population has been devastated by the White Nose Syndrome (WNS) throughout the eastern United States. This disease has caused a mortality rate of up to a 90-100% where present. As a result, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) has listed the northern
Read More...Vermont Department of Taxes || June 2019 Tax and this year’s legislation The Vermont Department of Taxes has published the 2019 Legislative Highlights. There were many changes this year. Changes related to taxation in Vermont include: Purchase of controlling interest in real estate Capital gains exclusion cap E-cigarettes Marketplace Facilitators Restricted use of 529 (VHEIP)
Read More...INTRODUCTION Forests have always been an important part of life in New England. In fact, for as long as people have lived here, they have looked to the forests to meet their needs, including heat and energy. Though the challenges we face may differ in scale and complexity from those of our ancestors, we continue
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