Agenda Package - 06-01-09 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Fire Prevention and preparedness were promoted by the following activities: 074 • Fire Prevention materials were taken to all kindergarten through third grade students • at 11 schools. • We were on two local radio programs and discussed fire safety. • Fire danger spot announcements were also run on our local radio and television stations on 6 of our worst fire days. • We had a booth at the Lee County Fair promoting fire safety and manned a table at Flat Springs Baptist Church's family day and distributed fire prevention literature. Fire prevention was promoted in 5 programs given to school students and other groups. • We maintained 9 burning permit agent sites scattered across the county as well as added a new permit agent at NW Pocket Fire Department. • 21 warning tickets were written; and the Lee County Sheriff Department was able to make arrests on two of our fires. Forest Management The North Carolina Forestry Association states that North Carolina has over 17.6 million acres of forestland, which covers over 58% of the state. 89% of this forestland is privately owned. According to the North Carolina Forestry Association, this forestland provides the raw materials for the state's top manufacturing industry, forest products. The forest products industry employs 100,000 employees with an annual payroll of $3.8 billion. Our forests provide many environmental, recreational and aesthetic benefits as well, making them one of our most valuable assets. The U.S. Department of Agriculture's 2002 forest statistics reveal that 107,600 acres of Lee County's 164,700 acres are in timberland. The 2002 forest statistics indicated that 95 percent of the county's forestland is owned by non-industrial private landowners (81 % private landowners and 14% corporate landowners). County and municipal governments own the remaining 5 percent of the county's forestland. The North Carolina Forest Service provides forest management advice and assistance to these private, corporate, and public landowners. Thus far in fiscal year 2008-2009, the North Carolina Forest Service has promoted good forest management in Lee County through a number of means described below: • Provided landowners with 54 written management plans involving about 1,870 acres. • Examined 9 additional tracts involving about 224 acres. These tracts were submitted for cost-shared practices by forestry consultants. The Division of Forest Resources has to determine if these pacts qualify for the cost-share assistance and then assists these • landowners with technical assistance on these projects.