Pacific Council: Protect our forests act

[PJ]

I will be withdrawing as sponsor of this bill and starting from scratch. I apologize, as I am not yet experienced at writing bills.

[PJ]

I am introducing this bill because while Atlasia does have strict environmental standards, not a lot has been done to stop deforestation. There are a few exceptions, such as the Forest Restoration act. But especially in the Pacific Region, protecting our forests is of paramount importance. Diverse habitats, such as temperate rainforests, are found in our region and can only be found in a few other places on Earth. These fragile ecosystems need to be protected for the good of the environment and the good of the Pacific. I yield the metaphorical floor.

[PJ]

I am rather confused.

Introduced species which are endangered would be exempted, yes? I think we need a definition of terms, here. What does the law consider an introduced species?

If a single tree is cut down, the government is entitled to seize the property? That seems outrageous to me. Perhaps the "fine" section should be separate from the definition of what is illegal, so we can save such a drastic measure for someone who attempts to log privately owned rainforest or whatnot.

Why are "businesses" allowed to buy the seized lands but not "corporations?" Is a corporation not a business?

By the way, I'm attacking this bill's wording only because it's an important issue and I want to see it passed with the least loopholes possible.

I think it is self-evident that an introduced species is one that is not native to the area and has been brought here by humans. Even if that tree is endangered where it is native, it is still doing damage to the ecosystem here.

Temperate rainforests are very rare. Other than the Pacific Northwest, they only exist in the southern tip of South America, New Zealand, and Tasmania. It is because of this that I believe a private individual or business does not have the right to log temperate rainforests. And if they do violate this, they are not to be trusted with such a fragile ecosystem.

I am worried about the effects a corporation would have on the rainforests. A corporation operating on rainforest land would inevitably bring a lot of human activity.

Btw forgot to mention this earlier but I am open to amendments on this bill as long as it keeps the general purpose of preserving our forests. Maybe you could introduce an amendment limiting the punishment for only logging a small amount. I like the bill as is, but I would still vote aye with such an amendment.

[PJ]

Proposed amendment:

The New Protect Our Forests Act

Whereas, we consider the "initial state" to be the current distribution of speciation and forestry at the time of passage of this bill.

Section 1: Deforestation restrictions

1. The logging of indigenous rainforest is illegal. Violators must pay a $10,000 fine, to be put in a special "Forester's Fund" [See Section 3]. The land is rightfully seized by the government of the Pacific Region if more than 10% of the rainforest is logged past the initial state.

2. Logging of endangered species of indigenous trees is illegal. For every endangered indigenous tree logged, a $10,000 fine is assessed toward the Forester's Fund. The land is rightfully seized by the government of the Pacific Region if more than 10% of the population of endangered indigenous species is logged past the initial state.

3. Landowners with other kinds of indigenous forest on their land must preserve 50% of the population at its initial state. For every tree logged past the 50% threshold, a $10,000 fine is assessed toward the Forester's Fund. The land is rightfully seized by the government of the Pacific Region if more than 55% of the population of indigenous forest is logged past the initial state.

4. The logging of invasive and introduced species of trees is permissible. If the introduced or invasive species trees are endangered, one indigenous species tree must be planted for every three invasive or introduced trees logged, up to the point at which the invasive or introduced population on that land is 50% its original initial state. At that point, the endangered invasive or introduced population may be logged without the requirement to plant indigenous trees, resulting in an indigenous tree population of no less than one-sixth the population of the original invasive or introduced population. If the required indigenous trees are not planted within one year, the land may become the property of the Pacific Region. However, if a "good faith" effort is made by the original property owner to meet that one-sixth threshold, the Pacific government may seize the property for only the period of time necessary to plant the trees necessary to meet that threshold, and then surrender the property ownership back to the original owner.


Section 2: Reclaimed Property

1. If less than 100 square acres, the land will be sold to a private individual or business for the current appraisal value and will be required to abide by this bill with the terms set by the initial state.

2. Corporations with environmental or logging offenses are not eligible to buy the aforementioned properties.

3. If more than 100 square acres, the land will be preserved, and remain property of the regional government. The land will not be developed upon.

Section 3: The Forester's Fund

1. The Forester's Fund will be maintained by the government of the Pacific region in order to maintain a record of the initial state of the land, to be publicized at the time of its resale and to be available as a matter of public record, a detailed in Section 2, part 1.

2. The secondary function of the Forester's Fund is for the administration of "Rainforest Rangers" to verify that property owners are not in violation of Section 1.

Undecided on Section 2, Clause 2, but I am satisfied with the rest of this bill. What if corporations with no violations on the book were qualified to buy forests, but not rainforests?

[PJ]

"I Love It!"
              - Icona Pop

[PJ]

Bumpity bump bump bump

It's time to vote on this

[PJ]

He said he loves it.

Official statement: I formally present my amendments as friendly, and I hope the original author accepts them as such.

I do accept it as friendly.

[PJ]

Aye

[PJ]

Sorry PJ, the votes will not be counted on this bill until a new Council is elected. Technically, all positions are vacant.

Ok I'll wait

[PJ]

Now I vote aye

[PJ]

Now I vote aye

So, I've been thinking about it, and because the vote was started so late, I think we should just re-pass it with the new Council after choosing a Speaker.

Ok