As we maneuver, these very challenging times, I will continue to provide you with the most current information that I have, but please realize that things are changing very rapidly. Please stay informed and safe. *Jane WEEK 14 Many of the House and Senate committees are continuing to meet. The focus of the committee work
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Vermonters faced a short and mild winter of 2019-2020, compared to years past. From December 1 to February 29, statewide temperatures averaged 23°F, which was four degrees warmer than the winter of 2018– 2019. Average precipitation across the state was 9.47 inches, which averaged 2.04 inches less than last year’s average. Click here to
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Greetings, We hope you and your families are staying safe and healthy. In our note last week regarding forest economy businesses and the Stay Home, Stay Safe order, we mentioned resources we were creating to support you and our vital forest economy businesses. This information is now live on our website. Please click through to
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The 2019 Forest Insect & Disease Conditions in Vermont has been posted HERE. This is our detailed report with maps showing results of aerial detection and invasive pest surveys, ground survey data summaries, and a comprehensive list of tree health problems that were reported to us last year. A printed version will also be available in the
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Use Value Appraisal: Interpretation of the “20% Rules” for Open Idle/Ag land, Site IV lands, and Ecologically Significant Treatment Areas (ESTA) Approved by Commissioner Snyder October 23, 2019 Background: In all cases, parcels enrolled in the Forestry Program of Use Value Appraisal (UVA) must have a minimum of 25 acres enrolled of which at least
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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,
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Do you own forestland in Vermont? Is it at least 25 acres? 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. When
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...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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