User:Cbassett1/sandbox/Georgia Forestry Commission

The Georgia Forestry Commission (GFC) is the forest management agency for the U.S. state of U.S. state of Georgia. In 1949, The Georgia Forestry Commission was created by the Georgia Legislature replacing the Department of Forestry. This change was a result of having several state foresters since 1936 due to the governor having the ability to appoint the position. The Georgia Forestry Commission is headquartered in Dry Branch, Georgia

Pre-1921
Due to the lack of regard for conservation, The first organized forest management in the state of Georgia in its earnest was formed in 1875 as the American Forestry Association. Prior to 1875, there was little regard for conservation. Settlers would clear the land, use it, then abandon the field. The fields would naturally reforest, however there was no organized effort to do so. In 1885 and 1888 respectively, the American Forestry Association merged with the American Forestry Congress, which later merged with the Southern Forestry Congress. After years of meetings and a desire to have state-run forestry departments, the Forestry Act of 1921 was passed by the Georgia General Assembly, starting the earliest predecessor of the Forestry Commission, State Board of Forestry.

1921-1949
The State Board of Forestry reported to the General Assembly in 1922 recognizing the financial importance Georgia's forests. One notable statement in the report revealed less than one-twentieth of the state's original forests were remaining thus the timber industry was forced to look elsewhere. The report also proposed license taxes on the forest industries to support the State Board of Forestry, which failed to pass.

On August 14th, 1925, legislation passed that created the Department of Forestry. The Department of Forestry was shaped much more like the modern-day Georgia Forestry Commission, with specific duties similar to the GFC.

Through the course of two meetings in 1925, a state forester, Burley M. Lufburrow, was selected. Unfortunately, state tax revenue was already allocated, leaving no money available for the Department of Forestry. Members of the Board borrowed $1,000 from the First National Bank of Atlanta via their own credit. The department only had 5 full-time employees, a state forester, two directors, and two secretaries with a protected area of 980,000 acres which included 34 recorded fires. During this period, the state forester worked for eight months without a paycheck while his office moved twice eventually arriving at the State Capital building

In 1926, the Department of Forestry received appropriations from the state and federal governments, although federal funds were limited. Due to the limited funds, assistance from landowners was made available via timber protection organizations that allowed patrolmen to be paid. Between 1927 and 1928, eight more personnel and four offices were added to the department followed by a nursery in 1929. Also in 1928, the first fire observation tower was erected in Waycross after the first Forestry Fair.

The year 1931 saw drastic changes to the department as the high number of state departments dropped to only 17, adding geological development within. The governor gained the ability to appoint the state forester during this transition. 1932 saw a budget cuts but saw an important discovery that allowed Georgia's trees to be used for newsprint instead of importing from Europe. The following year, 1933, saw the extremely effective tool of two-way radios become widely used to fight fires. Two years later in 1935, Georgia, via the Georgia Forestry Association, began to define arsonists although law enforcement often did not see forest destruction as a crime. A law was passed in 1943 formally declaring that setting a woods fire was a felony crime.

Another reorganization of the state departments happened in 1937 creating the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) which included forestry in one of its four divisions. Beginning in 1940, counties began to tax residents to conserve natural resources and forests. However, in 1943 the GA DNR was disbanded and with the exception of wildlife, DNR's purview was placed under a Division of Conservation under the Governor.

For six weeks during June of 1945, aircraft were used to test fire detection capabilities via the air. Air patrols proved a success and expanded thereafter. 1947 saw an expansion of the Forestry's nurseries as the two existing nurseries were unable to keep up with demand, and a third was soon added. On the protection side, more county units were being added and a larger two-radio system was installed. From a financial standpoint, 1948 marked the first year in some time that more state funds were appropriated than federal grants.

1949-Present
The Georgia Forestry Commission similar to today was created in 1949 replacing the Department of Forestry. Many felt the lack of stability from the high number of State Foresters resulted in a need to remove the appointing power from the Governor. Commission members were to be appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate whom were to appoint a Director. That same year, the Forest Fire Protection Act was passed establishing an authority for statewide fire control which included the right to enter any land without the risk of trespassing when acting in regard to forest fires. The following year, in 1950, it was determined that state appropriations were not enough to facilitate statewide fire protection and the Georgia Forest Fire Protection Act of 1949 was amended to allow counties to levy a tax in accordance.

In 1954, the Georgia Forestry Commission, per the state legislature, joined other states in the south to form the Southeastern Forest Fire Compact for mutual aid in large, disaster-scale incidents. Two years later, during 1956, GFC moved its headquarters from Atlanta to Macon. In 1958, GFC began weather forecasting services with the assistance of other state and federal agencies. During 1964, GFC produced improved tree seedlings, a first for the nation. The next year, 1965, Georgia made record numbers in regards to fire control. Prior to 1967, there was not uniformity in reference to the amount counties would pay the state for fire protection. As of 1967, every county now paid the same amount for fire protection and for the first time, all of Georgia's 159 counties were under protection.

As people migrated from the dense cities to more rural areas, the Georgia Forestry Commission was called upon via a Rural Fire Defense Program started in 1968 to assist local areas that did not have adequate fire protection. The GFC provided equipment from the state and federal governments by loaning surplus equipment which reduced forest fires and areas burned immediately. A win for the Forest Management division happened in 1974 as a law was signed in effect to start a program for monitoring and controlling insects and diseases. In the 1980s, the Commission made great strides in public relations through several different mediums. In 1987, the nurseries expanded again with the addition of the Flint River Nursery after having a record number of trees planted in 1985.

Permitting for burning outdoors began in 1988 after an act from the Georgia Legislature. Formerly, landowners only had to notify their intent to burn but were otherwise allowed. The first permit numbers were issued in July that year. The following year, in 1989, the Commission erected a museum made of out Georgia forest products. 1992 was a notable year with the passing of the Prescribed Burning Act. This allowed landowners the right to conduct a prescribed burn on their lands, a forest management tool. As such, the GFC began a certified burner program which quickly grew in size.

Organization
The Commission is led by a Director and has 625 employees within a forest management and a forest protection division. The Code of Georgia states that the commission is to be made up of seven members who are appointed by the Governor of Georgia, to be approved by the Georgia Senate. Each term in office is set at seven years. Four of the members must be owners of at least 50 acres of forest land, two members must be manufacturers or processors of forest products, and the final member must not be a member of either of the aforementioned groups per state law. The members of the commission must elect a chairman annually, furthermore, any member who fails to attend three or more meetings without good reason, their office will be declared vacant.

Divisions
There are 5 divisions within the Georgia Forestry Commission.

Forest Protection
The Forest Protection division consists of Rangers whom suppress wildfires and often engage in prescribed burning and the installing the firebreaks necessary for both.

Forest Management
Forest Management consists of Foresters of several specialties. Some of which include insect detection, water quality, and inventory analysis.

Aviation
The Aviation division consists of spotter planes(Smokeys), single engine air tankers (SEATs/Bandits), Helicopters (Firebirds), and several multi-engine air tankers. On some days with high fire danger, the spotter planes may fly around in search of any potential wildfires, to facilitate a rapid response.

Law Enforcement
The Law Enforcement Division consists of several investigators strategically placed throughout the state to investigate arson, timber theft, crimes involving GFC property, or any other forestry related crimes. They are Georgia POST certified with full arrest powers.

Information Technology
The IT division maintains computer, radios, and other communications within the GFC.

Administration
The Administration houses the Director and assistants, human resources, and media specialists.

Functions
The Code of Georgia mandates eight specific functions and duties for the commission.
 * To take all action appropriate to foster, improve, and encourage reforestation
 * To engage in research and other projects for the ascertainment and promulgation of better forestry practices
 * To offer aid, assistance, and technical advice to landowners relative to the preservation and culture of forests
 * To receive gifts or donations made to it and to expend the same under the terms of such gifts or donations
 * To conduct and direct fire prevention work and maintain equipment, personnel, and installations for the detection, prevention, and combating thereof
 * To publish in print or electronically and distribute the results of its research and investigations
 * To cooperate and contract with other agencies and instrumentalities of government, either county, municipal, state, or national, and with private persons or concerns for the advancement of the forests of this state
 * To engage in land conservation projects as provided by Chapter 6A of Title 12 of the O.C.G.A