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National Association of State Foresters 



Mfgor Legislative Recommendations 



Clean Water Reauthorization 



Non-Point Source Pollution: 



• Continue to utilize existing categories of non-point source pollution identified by 

 Congress in 1972. Federal legislation and federal administrative agencies should not 

 create or develop new labels; to do so would add confusion and complexity. Remove refer- 

 ences to 'new' and 'existing' non-point sources. 



• NASF supports provisions of H.R. 3948 that recognize comparable state and local pro- 

 grams (Sec. 321, (c)). 



• NASF supports provisions in H.R.. 3498 that require the EPA Administrator to consult 

 with appropriate Federal and State departments and agencies and publish for public com- 

 ment guidance that identifies best management practices and measures to be undertaken. 

 Where forestry is concerned this should include appropriate state and professional forestry 

 representatives. 



• WTiere similar non-point source pollution programs and responsible administrative 

 agencies overlap -- e.g., coastal zone non-point source management programs -- authority 

 to implement aind manage non point sources at the state level should be assigned to a single 

 agency within the state. 



• "Qualified" programs that are recognized as satisfying the requirement for implemen- 

 tation of site specific management plans (i.e., Conservation Reserve, Integrated Farm 

 Management, Agriculture Water Quality Protection programs) should include appropriate 

 forestry programs. 



• NASF opposes development of regional Management Measures guidance. It would add 

 complexity, inconsistency and inefficiency to the process unnecessarily. 



• Incentives and assistance programs should be expanded to include silvicultural non- 

 point source preventive practices such as Best Management Practices (e.g., Agriculture 

 Conservation Program, Water Quality Incentives Programs). 



Recommendations for Wetlands Protection legislation: 



• Continue the current Section 404 exemptions for normal and ongoing silvicultural ac- 

 tivities. 



• Include and/or adapt incentive-based approaches for non-industrial private forest lands 

 to gain lasting landowner commitment. 



• Establish clear national goals and values for wetlands protection at the federal level; al- 

 low flexibility to the states to design programs to achieve these goals and tailor manage- 

 ment to local hydrologic and ecological conditions. 



• Ensure states (including state forestry) have the opportunity to participate in training 

 and become certified in wetland delineation. 



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