South
In all likelihood, Arkansas timberland owners should expect to pay an additional five cents per acre in taxes this year. Senate Bill 5 bill proposed an increase in the tax rate from 15 to 20 cents per acre with the intent to raise an additional $700,000 a year to support the Arkansas Forestry Commission. The agency, which has struggled financially in recent years, is responsible for fighting wildfires across the state. The state Senate approved the bill in early March. The House Committee on Revenue & Taxation has recommended the bill for passage, and the bill is presently awaiting a vote in the House.
Texas State Representative James White recently introduced House Bill 777 to increase timber weight limits for trucks transporting timber, woodchips or woody biomass distances of 125 miles or less. The bill proposed an increase in driver tandem axle weight from 38,080 to 44,000 pounds, though the gross allowable weight would remain 84,000 pounds. Despite White’s intent to support loggers in Southeast Texas, commissioners in nearby Rusk and Nacogdoches counties have expressed concerns that increasing the allowable weight limits would have a negative impact on county roads. Both County Commissions have passed resolutions to voice their opposition to the proposed legislation.
Midwest/Lake States
Will logging crew shortages be commonplace in the coming years? A recent article published in the Eau Claire, Wisconsin The Leader-Telegram shared the opinions of those with years of industry experience. The exorbitant costs of diesel fuel, equipment and insurance premiums – and some argue hard work at low wages - are factors that have kept many from pursuing logging as a line of work. Due to the recent economic downturn and aforementioned barriers, logging companies have turned to independent contractors to meet their needs. Though it is much too early to tell what the impact of aging crews will have on the industry, it is certainly as issue on the horizon.
Pacific Northwest
Oregon and Washington’s Blue Mountains forests may soon benefit from an ongoing tree thinning and forest restoration program currently under development by the U.S. Forest Service. The goal of the plan is two-fold: reduce forests’ vulnerability to devastating wildfires, disease and insects and increase mills’ access to timber.
Wildfire is of particular concern. Forest fuel buildup left virtually unchecked over the past 20 years and climate change that suggests a temperature increase leaves nearby communities vulnerable to increased risk of fire. Last year alone, efforts to fight forest fires cost the federal government $3 billion. On the other hand, federal government expenditures on forest management were just $350 million.
In the Wallowa-Whitman, Umatilla and Malheur national forests, an estimated 800 million board feet of wood fiber reaches maturity each year. At 400 million board feet, half is lost to factors such as wildfire and disease. Just 11 percent is delivered to mills; since 1990, the area has lost 17 mills and over 1,200 mill jobs.
Forest officials, along with private citizens and environmentalists, are expected to start plans on the program by June. Actual forest thinning is then set to begin the following summer. More about the proposed plan is available from The Oregonian.
At nearly the same time the proposed U.S. Forest Service program was announced, the Senate Budget Committee passed an amendment aimed to simultaneously support job growth and forest health. Brought forth by Oregon Senator Jeff Merkley, the intent of the amendment is to generate jobs through increasing timber production in overgrown federal forests located throughout the state. As timber production improves, fuel loads will be reduced, reducing wildfire risk and strengthening the natural forest ecosystem.