Regulation on administrative fees on forest and wildlife conservation (FDA Regulation No. 23)

REGULATION NO. 23 REGULAnON ON ADMINISTRATIVE FEES ON FOREST AND WILDLIFE CONSERVAnON WHEREAS, the Act creating the FDA further empowers the Authority to carry out programs for the use and perpetuation of the forest, recreational and wildlife resources of the country, and to continue providing services relative to the Authority's function, and to sustain conservation measures through the levying offees on the TimberIndustry (Section 4C, 1 (v); and ' WHEREAS, the southward expansion of the sahel has become noticeable in Liberia in recent times, and it is incumbent on the FDA to take appropriate measure in containing the threats to the nation's forest resources, so as to ensure continued environmental stability; WHEREAS, the cost of forest plantations establishment and development an.et' conservation of forest resources have increased significant over the years; NOWTHEREFORE, the FDA does hereby rule and regulate: SECTION I. REFORESTATION FEE 1. All trees cut for commercial purpose 011 all lands within the Republic of Liberia shall be assessed at $5.00 per cubic meter offu11 tree length irrespective of species. 2. Assessed Length is the log length after telling, topping and removal defects, if any, in accordance with FDA's Management Rules and Regulation from time to time. SECTION II. CONSERVAnON FEE a) The following species are herebypromoted from class B to class A. They are: 1. Abura/Bama 2. WawalObeche 3. Tetra/Sikon 4. Naga 5. Didelotia 6. Ekki/Azobellronwood 7. lroko 8. Frake 9,. Aiele 10. Limballi 11. Kusia b) A Forest Conservation Fee of four dollars ($4.00) per cubic meter for class ~~A" species shall be levied on all logs produced for commercial use within the Republic of Liberia. Class HA" Species are as follows: 1. SipoJUtile 13. WawalObeche* 2. Makore 14. Tetra/Sikon" 3. Sapele IS. Naga* 4. kosipo 16. Didelotia" 5. Tiama/Edinam 17. EkkilAxobelIronwood* 6. Khaua/Acajou 18. Iroko" 7. LovalDibetou 19. Frake* 8. Niangon/Whismore 20. Aiele" 9. GuareaIBosse 21. Limbali* 10.Framire 22. Kusia* 11. Aningre 12. AburaiBahia* *SPECIES PROMOTED FROM CLASS "B" TO "A" c) A Forest Conservation fee of two doJJars and fifty cents ($2.50) per cubic meter for Class "B" Species shall be levied on all logs produced for commercial use within the Republic of Liberia. Class"8" Species are as follows: 1. BetelMansonis 2, Amazakoue 3. Tali 4. DantaIKotibe 5, Illomba 6," Afzelia/Doussie 7. Movingui 8. BombaxlKondroti 9. DahomaJDabe:ma IO.SacwgotthYOzouga 11. Faro/Daniella 12. Obotol.Mamea 13. Ceiba/Formagar/Cottonwood 14. Avodire 15. Koto 16. Antiaris 17. All others species SECTION III. FORESTRY RESEARCH FEE To support scientific studies regarding the biodiversity for sustainability of the forest resources of Liberia and to conduct anatomical, physical; chemical and mechanical properties of our lesser known Liberian Timber Species, a Forestry Research Tax of one (1) U.S. Dollar per cubic meter irrespective of species and grades extracted by each forest concessionaire is hereby levied. SECTION IV. AD:MINISTRATIVE FEES a. AIJ Administrative fee of five hundred U.S. Dollars (US$500.00) shall be paid annually by each concessionaire to the FDA as Registration per entity/corporation. b. A non-refundable administrative fee of two thousand U.S. Dollars (US$2,OOO.OO) shall be levied as a Forest Survey permits Fee. c. A non-refundable fee of two thousand u.s. Dollars (US$2,OOo.OO) shall be levied as a PIT SAWINGIPOWER SAWING OPERATORtS PERMIT FEE annually. d. Annual Administrative Permit fees for minor forest products producers or non-wood forest producers are as follows: 1. RAITAN---------------------------------------------------US$500.00 2. CHARCOAL PRODUCERS-----------------------------LD$5 ,00.00 2(a) CHARCOAL SELLERS---------------------------------LD$2,00.00 3. RAFTERS AND ROUND POLES-----------------------LD$2,OOO.OO 4. BNv1BOO--------------------~:-.;.;----------------------- -~-LD$500.00 (E) SAWMILLING OPERATOR'S PERMIT: Any business entity/individual operating a Sawmill and not in possession of a SALVAGE PERMIT or a concession agreement with the GOL the FDA shall be levied an annual SAWMILL OPERATOR'S PERMIT fee offive thousand U.S. Dollars (US$5,OOO.OO). (F) LUMBERDEALERS: All individualslbusiness entity operating Lwnber Yards shall be levied an annual administrative fee offive U.S. Dollars (US$500.00) (G) FURNITURE PRODUCERS: All wood workshopslindividuals/business entities engaged in the furniture production business shall be levied an annual administrative fee of three hundred fifty U.S. Dollars (US$350.00). SECTION V. REPEAL Regulation No. II, Section IV on Reforestation Fee is hereby repealed. Regulation No. 12 on Administrative'Fees, Section I is hereby repealed. Regulation No. 13 on Forest and Wildlife Conservation Fee, Section I is hereby repealed. SECTION VI. EFFECTIVE DATE This Regulation shall become effective on January 12, 1998 and be announced in the public media and published in the FDA Newsletter. Signed: Demetrious B. Taylor MANAGING DIRECTOR Demetrious B. Taylor MANAGING DIRECTOR MONROVIA, LIBERIA January 1, 1998.