| 1 | 1 | | 25 LC 60 0159 |
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| 2 | 2 | | House Resolution 824 |
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| 3 | 3 | | By: Representatives Smith of the 138 |
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| 4 | 4 | | th |
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| 5 | 5 | | , Smith of the 70 |
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| 6 | 6 | | th |
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| 7 | 7 | | , Cannon of the 172 |
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| 8 | 8 | | nd |
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| 9 | 9 | | , Buckner of |
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| 10 | 10 | | the 137 |
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| 11 | 11 | | th |
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| 12 | 12 | | , and Huddleston of the 72 |
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| 13 | 13 | | nd |
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| 14 | 14 | | |
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| 15 | 15 | | A RESOLUTION |
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| 16 | 16 | | Recognizing the acute and ongoing threat to Georgia's forests posed by the southern pine |
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| 17 | 17 | | 1 |
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| 18 | 18 | | beetle, particularly in the western region of this state, and encouraging all Georgia2 |
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| 19 | 19 | | landowners to follow guidance by the Georgia Forestry Commission to mitigate the spread3 |
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| 20 | 20 | | of this destructive pest; and for other purposes.4 |
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| 21 | 21 | | WHEREAS, forestry is a vital economic driver for the State of Georgia, contributing more5 |
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| 22 | 22 | | than $41 billion annually to the state's economy and supporting thousands of jobs in rural6 |
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| 23 | 23 | | communities; and7 |
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| 24 | 24 | | WHEREAS, Georgia's forests, particularly those that are properly managed, provide essential8 |
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| 25 | 25 | | ecological, economic, and recreational benefits, including clean air and water, carbon9 |
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| 26 | 26 | | sequestration, wildlife habitats, and raw materials for a variety of industries; and10 |
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| 27 | 27 | | WHEREAS, the southern pine beetle (dendroctonus frontalis) is a destructive native pest11 |
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| 28 | 28 | | affecting pine forests in the southeastern United States, including Georgia; and12 |
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| 29 | 29 | | WHEREAS, southern pine beetle infestations can cause significant tree mortality, leading13 |
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| 30 | 30 | | to economic losses for landowners, increased wildfire risk, and reduced forest health and14 |
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| 31 | 31 | | productivity; and15 |
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| 32 | 32 | | H. R. 824 |
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| 33 | 33 | | - 1 - 25 LC 60 0159 |
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| 34 | 34 | | WHEREAS, the western region of Georgia is currently experiencing a heightened outbreak |
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| 35 | 35 | | 16 |
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| 36 | 36 | | of the southern pine beetle, resulting in extensive damage to pine stands and threatening the17 |
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| 37 | 37 | | sustainability of the state's forest resources; and18 |
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| 38 | 38 | | WHEREAS, the Georgia Forestry Commission has provided critical guidance and resources19 |
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| 39 | 39 | | to landowners to implement sound forestry practices that reduce the risk of infestation by the20 |
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| 40 | 40 | | southern pine beetle and improve overall forest resilience; and21 |
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| 41 | 41 | | WHEREAS, thinning overcrowded stands, removing infested trees, and adhering to best22 |
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| 42 | 42 | | management practices are the most effective means of controlling and preventing further23 |
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| 43 | 43 | | spread of the southern pine beetle.24 |
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| 44 | 44 | | NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that25 |
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| 45 | 45 | | the members of this body:26 |
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| 46 | 46 | | (1) Recognize the significant threat posed by the southern pine beetle to Georgia's27 |
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| 47 | 47 | | forests;28 |
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| 48 | 48 | | (2) Recognize the acute and ongoing challenge of the southern pine beetle outbreak in29 |
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| 49 | 49 | | the western region of this state; and30 |
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| 50 | 50 | | (3) Encourage Georgia landowners to take all steps necessary to mitigate the spread of31 |
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| 51 | 51 | | this outbreak through proper forest management and adherence to best management32 |
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| 52 | 52 | | practices outlined by the Georgia Forestry Commission.33 |
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| 53 | 53 | | BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized34 |
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| 54 | 54 | | and directed to make appropriate copies of this resolution available for distribution to the35 |
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| 55 | 55 | | public and the press.36 |
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| 56 | 56 | | H. R. 824 |
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| 57 | 57 | | - 2 - |
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