Issue Position: Healthy Forest

Issue Position

Forestry is a vital component of our state's economic livelihood. Forestry practices contribute on average $3.2 billion to the economy each year. The exportation and quality of West Virginia forestry products knows no limits. We participate in the global marketplace and provide consumers around the world with high quality products grown and harvested in our own forests. Despite the success of our forest industries, we are unfortunately facing an increasing percentage of invasive species seeking to debilitate our natural resources. As a State Senator, I will focus my efforts to strengthen forestry partnerships. Indeed, I will wholeheartedly promote the use of the Department of Agriculture's labs and entomologists to work with the Division of Forestry, USDA Forest Service and members of the Forest Industries to monitor and control our invasive species population, which ultimately effect our ability to harvest and export our products while creating a strong forestry economy.

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