LANSING – State Representative Scott Dianda (D-Calumet) today said that he is pleased the Gov. Rick Snyder has vetoed a bill aimed at deregulating the forestry industry. Dianda had argued against the bill, which would have deregulated state foresters, since it first appeared in the House Regulatory Reform Committee, of which he is a member.
“I want to thank the governor for understanding that state foresters are important to the forestry industry statewide, and particularly important in the Western Upper Peninsula, where forestry is such an important industry for our communities,” said Dianda. “This bill was bad public policy, and I appreciate that the governor listened to me and others who talked with him and explained the importance of foresters and this program. He made the right decision when he vetoed the bill.”
There are 32 state foresters employed across the state. Forestry in Michigan is a $16 billion industry. The current regulations administered through the Registered Forester Program cost taxpayers a negligible amount of money while positively affecting the forestry industry, and deregulating these foresters would only have saved the state between $7,000 and $8,000.
“The Registered Foresters Program brings money into the state, guarantees landowner professional service when they apply for state programs and adds to the professionalism of the forestry industry,” said Dianda. “That’s important when so many of my communities rely on forestry jobs. Maintaining this program is certainly good for the U.P. and for the rest of Michigan as well.”