July 25, both the Fish & Wildlife Service (FWS) and NOAA Fisheries proposed revisions to three sections of regulations pertaining to the Endangered Species Act (ESA): Listing Species and Designating Critical Habitat (ESA section 4), Revision of Regulation for Prohibitions to Threatened Wildlife and Plants (ESA section 4(d)), and Interagency Cooperation (ESA section 7). FWS and NOAA primarily proposed the revisions to clarify existing rules and ensure they were consistently applied between the agencies.
On September 24, in addition to generally supporting the proposed revisions, AFRC presented comments on a number of crucial issues to our industry. First, AFRC recommended language of the rules be altered or eliminated to avoid inappropriately expansive designations of critical habitat. Second, AFRC commented on the need to consider economic impacts during the implementation of the ESA, to the extent permitted by the act. Third, AFRC addressed the importance of the proposed uniformity between the listing and delisting procedures. Fourth, AFRC provided recommendations for species-specific regulations concerning the northern spotted owl and the marbled murrelet. Last, AFRC submitted many comments on interagency cooperation with a focus on expediting the federal consultation process and providing more authority to individual forest managers. It urged the services to consider issuing “counterpart” regulations that would allow forest biologists to make the determination whether a project is likely to adversely affect species or critical habitat.
The Second Annual Future Forestry Workers Career Day will take place in conjunction with the Oregon Logging Conference, on Friday, February 22, 2019.
Last year 425 students and teachers from 24 Oregon schools participated. This year there will be capacity for 900.
High school students will be introduced to current job opportunities in the logging, forestry, and natural resource industries. Students will be able to talk one-on-one with industry professionals and learn about forestry and reforestation, logging and trucking, diesel mechanics and welding, operating heavy equipment, and firefighting.
A self-guided map will be provided to students and instructors upon arrival, identifying areas to visit with equipment displays, both inside and outside, and booths with information about various aspects of the logging and forestry industries.
For more information, call the Oregon Logging Conference at (541) 686-9191.
Newly-appointed U.S. Forest Service Chief Vicki Christiansen addressed the American Loggers Council (ALC) during its 24th Annual Meeting. The meeting, held Oct. 11-13, brought loggers, ALC sponsors and others from across the country to Seaside, Oregon, for logging demonstrations, special events and industry discussions.
ALC was the first organization that Christiansen addressed after being appointed Chief on Oct. 10. Speaking to attendees on Oct. 13, she discussed her vision for the U.S. Forest Service, her efforts to improve management on National Forest Service lands, and the recognition of loggers as the "boots on the ground" to help ensure better outcomes for public lands.
The annual meeting included a logging tour on nearby state forest land, educating attendees on logging systems and practices in Northwestern Oregon. Later that evening ALC held its annual President's Dinner and Auction.
ALC's leadership and members agreed to pursue new membership and sponsorship opportunities, and to expand in parts of the country where loggers currently lack a national voice. ALC will continue to be active in the policymaking in Washington DC, including advocating for key priorities including passage of the Future Logging Careers Act, Right to Haul Act, biomass utilization and federal forest management reforms.
Chris Potts of Potts Logging of Alabama was appointed ALC's new president. Shannon Jarvis of Jarvis Timber in Missouri and Tim Christopherson of Dabco Logging in Idaho will serve as First and Second Vice Presidents, respectively. Andy Irish of Irish Family Logging in Maine will serve as Secretary-Treasurer.
The AFRC welcomed Greg Hibbard as a law clerk to the AFRC Legal Program. He will be assisting Cindi, Sara, and Lawson in providing legal services to our members and has already pitched in on AFRC’s comments on ESA regulatory reform.
Greg is a 2018 graduate of the University of Washington law school and is currently studying for an LL.M. (Master of Laws) degree at Lewis & Clark. He will begin a judicial clerkship on the Oregon Court of Appeals in the summer of 2019.
On the Cover
Photo taken by Andrea Watts of a Holbrook Inc. operation near Electron, Washington.
Finding Success in Challenging Times
In 2007, as the country entered the recession, Seth Campbell was fixing his eyes on a future for himself, his family and his crew.
From the Bottom Up
Chris Martin, owner of Martin Timber Harvesting, has taken the bull by the horns and set a standard of excellence.
It’s the Employees
For Holbrook Inc., success has come from the sum of its employees who have kept the company harvesting and moving logs for more than 30 years.
New Study Points to Ways Loggers Can Minimize Knee, Back and Shoulder Injuries
New manual with best practices focusses on preventable injuries in the logging industry.
2018 CBI & Ecotec Factory Forum
The three-day event was an opportunity for the company’s U.S. and international customers to see live machine demonstrations.
Firebreak Column
New technology coming to the fireline.
Pacific Logging Congress review
The 8th PLC Live In-Woods show held in September in Corvallis, Oregon, provided a chance to educate and for industry professionals to show off.
Tech Review — Bar, Chain and Sprocket
A look at options on the market today.
Guest Column
Time to create and tell our story.
DEPARTMENTS
