June 9, 2011

Contact: Sam Irwin

225-922-1280

 

Homeowners should employ licensed horticulture professionals

Each spring and summer in Louisiana so-called yard specialists claiming to be arborists, landscape horticulturists and landscape irrigation contractors begin making the rounds in local neighborhoods with bargain basement offers for yard work. Many have little or no training. Often their handiwork can produce less than desirable outcomes and downright disasters.

 

LDAF Budget Memo from Commissioner Mike Strain‏ The House Appropriations Committee took action to reduce base operating services of the Department of Agriculture and Forestry by $2.8 million including cuts to personnel and critical operating expenditures:

 

Removed $1.1 million in funding for salaries and related benefits from the Overcollections Fund for the 27th pay period across four program areas:  Forestry, Soil and Water Conservation, Animal Health and Food Safety, and Management and Finance.  

Removed $1 million in base funding for regulatory services in the Agricultural and Environmental Sciences program.  This could affect nine (9) inspectors, lab technicians and program managers providing mandated services to producers and the public.  

Removed $623,000 in required maintenance on fire detection air fleet.  These funds are needed to meet FAA guidelines for the aviation fleet used in the detection of wildfires.  This represents a 35% cut and...

 The House Appropriations Committee took action to reduce base operating services of the Department of Agriculture and Forestry by $2.8 million including cuts to personnel and critical operating expenditures:

 

Removed $1.1 million in funding for salaries and related benefits from the Overcollections Fund for the 27thpay period across four program areas:  Forestry, Soil and Water Conservation, Animal Health and Food Safety, and Management and Finance. Removed $1 million in base funding for regulatory services in the Agricultural and Environmental Sciences program.  This could affect nine (9) inspectors, lab technicians and program managers providing mandated services to producers and the public. Removed $623,000 in required maintenance on fire detection air fleet.  These funds are needed to meet FAA guidelines for the aviation fleet used in the detection of wildfires.  This represents a 35% cut and could ground a majority of the fleet. The department is already down...