SUFC Policy Working Group Update

1. SUFC Policy Working
Group Update
Annual Meeting
February 26, 2015

2. What is the Policy Working Group?
 Uses a variety of advocacy tools to increase tangible
support for urban forests and green infrastructure on
a national, regional and local level;
 It seeks to educate diverse audiences about the
value and need for healthy trees and green
infrastructure in our communities; and
 Members network and leverage resources and
knowledge among a growing community of
organizations to promote healthier, more vibrant
cities.
 Co-chairs:
 Gerry Gray (ACTrees)
 Rebecca Turner (American Forests)

3. SUFC Policy Goals for 2014+
 Secure more funding for key programs within the federal
government that supports urban forests and green infrastructure
 Identify and build relationships with potential new urban
forestry champions on the Hill
 Support key pieces of legislation that enhance urban forests and
green infrastructure
 Provide consensus-based substantive comments on key
regulations
 Increase knowledge about SUFC efforts within a variety of
federal agencies working on green infrastructure and urban
forestry issues
 Identify a clear policy agenda to advance research and
development

4. Highlights from 2014
 Advocated for $31.3 million for U&CF in FY 2015 and
secured an amount larger than President’s request
 Conf Report included language supporting UF Research.
 Used a new process to develop a broader set of
requests for federal programs for FY 2015
 Worked with SUFC members to convene first “fly-out”
(Rep. Joyce, OH) and explore others.
 Developed urban forestry recommendations for
President Obama’s Climate Change Action Plan.
 Responded to 2014 Farm Bill call for FS FIA to develop
urban forest assessments.

5. Interior Appropriations Asks FY 2016
PROGRAM FY15 SUFC ASK FY15 ENACTED FY16 President
DRAFT
FY16 SUFC ASK
Forest Service
Urban and Community Forestry $31.3m $28m $24m $31.3m
Forest Health Management $111m w/ $48m coop $104.6m w/ $45m coop $99.7m w/ $40.6m coop $111m w/ $48m coop
Landscape-scale Restoration* n/a $14m $23.5m $23.5m
Research and Development $303m w/ $72m FIA $296m w/ $70m FIA $291m w/ $83m FIA $303m w/ $83m FIA
National Park Service
Urban Parks and Recreation Recovery Fund $25m not enacted $25m $25m
NPS Centennial Challenge* n/a $10m $50m $50m
Fish and Wildlife Service
Urban Wildlife Conservation Program* n/a n/a $5m $5m
EPA
Urban Waters Program* supported supported supported getting numbers
Clean Water State revolving funds $1.449b w/ $5m GI $1.449b w/ 10% GI $1.116b w/ 20% for GI $1.449b w/ 20% for GI
Land and Water Conservation Fund
Full funding* $900m $306m $900m silent
Competitive Grants w/in State Assistant grants $3m $3m $3m $3m

6. Agriculture Appropriations FY 2016
USDA APHIS
 Maintain FY15 enacted funding levels for:
 Tree and Wood Pests $54 million
 Eradication and control of ALB and other pests
 Specialty Crops $156 million
 $5 million funds program to stop spread of the sudden oak death via nursery
plants trade

7. Legislation Tracking
 Community Parks Revitalization Act: HR.201
 Sires (D-NJ): HUD program investments in parks, recreational areas, facilities, and
programs.
 TREES Act: not yet introduced
 Matsui (D-CA): grants from DOE to strategically plant trees to reduce energy costs.
 Brownfields Utilization, Investment, and Local Development (BUILD)
Act: not yet introduced
 Hahn (D-CA): HUD and Treasury repayment of principal and interest on loans made by
lenders to local governments etc. for redeveloping brownfields and promoting urban
renewal.
 Innovative Stormwater Infrastructure Act: not yet introduced
 Sen. Udall (D-CO) and Rep. Edwards (D-MD): EPA competitive grants to eligible higher
ed. and research institutions to establish centers of excellence for innovative
stormwater control infrastructure (i.e. green infrastructure)

8. Strategic Meetings w/ Administration
 USDA
 Undersecretary Bonnie
 Deputy Undersecretary Blazer
 Office of Management and Budget
 Department of Interior
 NPS
 FWS
 EPA
 Urban Waters Federal Partnership
 Office of Water: Green Infrastructure definition

9. Fly-outs in 2015 and 2016
CA
Rep. Valadao – (R-CA21)
Part of Kings and Fresno County
MD
Rep. Sarbanes (D-MD3)
Annapolis and Towson area