March 27, 2002 |
2002-R-0392 | |
FORESTRY PLATES | ||
By: Kristina D. Arsenault, Research Fellow | ||
You asked if there are any states that have forestry plates that would reduce the registration fee for private landowners that do forestry work.
There are at least eight states that issue special forestry plates. They are: Alabama, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, New Jersey, Texas and Virginia. We called the Department of Motor Vehicles in those eight states and none of them reduce the registration fee for private landowners that do forestry work. Some of the people that I spoke with commented that the state really needed the registration fees from the plate to help to further fund the forestry or environmental programs.
Of the eight states, Texas is the only state that does not allow the average resident to purchase the forestry specialty plates. The issuance of these plates is limited to forestry vehicles which are defined as a vehicle used exclusively for transporting forest products in their natural state (Texas Transportation Code § 502. 280). In addition, Texas is the only state that doesn't have a special fund for the proceeds. The proceeds of the plate are strictly used as registration fees. Table 1 shows the organization that the forestry plates help fund in the remaining seven states.
TABLE 1: FORESTRY PLATE PROCEEDS FUNDING
STATE |
PLATE PROCEEDS |
Alabama |
Alabama Forests Forever Foundation |
The Foundation uses the money for promoting the professional management of forest and forest related resources and educating the public regarding the contribution that forestry makes to the economy and environmental quality of the state. | |
Idaho |
Department of Land Fund and the State Board of Land Commissioners |
Funds help pay for reforestation activities and educational purposes. | |
Indiana |
Indiana Heritage Trust |
The trust purchases and protects important natural areas for parks, forests, recreation, wildlife habitat, wetlands and nature preserves. | |
Missouri |
Missouri Conservation Heritage Foundation |
The foundation uses the funds to enhance nature centers, outdoor classrooms, stream teams, wildlife habitat and other conservation activities. | |
New Jersey |
New Jersey's Shade Tree and Community Forest Program |
The program funds projects for tree planting and improving wildlife habitats, promoting clean air and water, reducing energy costs in cities and hometown beautification educating the citizens on the importance of trees and forests. | |
Virginia |
Used to fund urban forest activities. |
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