Small business tree-planting bill reintroduced
A new bill introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives is aiming to reauthorize the Small Business Association (SBA) tree-planting program from the 1990s.
The national small business tree-planting program (H.R. 4509)—sponsored by Rep. Kurt Schrader (D-OR) last month and co-sponsored by Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR)—has been referred to the House committee on small business for deliberation.
Excluding administrative costs, this bill would inject $50 million a year for such initiatives from 2011 through 2015.
“Friends of Trees supports Representative Schrader’s reintroduction of the SBA because it addresses numerous environmental as well as economic issues facing our communities here in Oregon and around the country,” said Scott Fogarty, executive director of the Northeast Portland nonprofit.
“It puts money into the hands of local citizens who are actively participating at the grass roots level in changing the way we view our green resources in the built environment,” said Fogarty.
Nancy Buley, director of communications for J. Frank Schmidt & Son Nursery and board member of Friends of Trees, also applauded Rep. Schrader’s efforts, saying the bill would increase urban tree canopy and stimulate Oregon businesses.
“Trees purchased with SBA and matching local funds will have an economic ripple effect that will benefit Oregon’s nurseries, arborists and landscape contractors,” said Buley.
“Trees planted will increase the value of the business properties, will provide environmental benefits including increased energy efficiency, and will improve parks and public areas where they are planted,” said Buley.
Paul Ries of the Oregon Department of Forestry provided the following data for the SBA Tree-Planting Program from 1991-94:
- The Oregon Department of Forestry administered 109 tree planting grants in Oregon communities
- Nearly 11,700 shade, landscape and riparian area trees were planted
- The total federal investment in this project was $894,318, which was matched by $1,541,273 in local expenditures, for a total economic impact of $2,442,591
- From the American Nursery & Landscape Association: more than 18,000 landscape firms were employed to plant more than 23 million trees across the country during the program’s brief existence.
“This bill supports community livability as well as the nursery industry in helping to revitalize our cities and streets,” said Fogarty. “We encourage all representatives from the state of Oregon and elsewhere to support Rep. Schrader’s efforts.”
–Toshio Suzuki