Association News

Softwood Lumber Board Welcomes Six New Directors

Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue has appointed six new members to serve on the Softwood Lumber Board (SLB). Members will serve a three-year term of office that began Jan. 1, 2019.

New members include J.D. Hankins, Ripley, Mississippi, and Brian Luoma, Tuscaloosa, Alabama, who will represent the U.S. South. Todd Payne of Eugene, Oregon, and George Emmerson of Bella Vista, California, will represent the U.S. West. Kevin Edgson of Montreal, Quebec, will represent Canada East, and Brad Thorlakson, of Vernon, British Columbia, will represent Canada West.

The Softwood Lumber Board is composed of 19 members, including 12 domestic manufacturers and seven importers. Of the 12 domestic manufacturers, six represent the U.S. South, five represent the U.S. West, and one represents the Northeast and Lake States. Of the seven importers, four represent Canada West, two represent Canada East, and one represents all other importing countries besides Canada.

“The Softwood Lumber Board thanks Secretary Perdue for appointing a strong slate of new directors who reflect the diversity of the industry and will bring the unique perspectives from their regions,” said Cees de Jager, SLB’s CEO. “We also thank the outgoing directors for their leadership, service, and commitment to the industry and Softwood Lumber Board. They were instrumental in guiding the SLB and helping us deliver significant impacts for the industry during our first term.”

Rural Stability

The AFRC (American Forest Resource Council) reported that on December 13, Senators Wyden and Crapo introduced the Forest Management for Rural Stability Act (S. 3753). While AFRC has not taken an official position on the legislation, it does appreciate the willingness of both offices to make changes to the proposal, which will likely undergo additional review in the months ahead. AFRC President Travis Joseph also provided the following quote, which was included in the Senators’ press release:

“We are passionate about, and committed to, the health and safety of the rural communities in which we live and work. We share the goal of Senators Wyden and Crapo to generate permanent, reliable financial support to forested counties in order to provide essential services to all community members — a goal the forest products industry contributes to every day. We appreciate the opportunity to continue working on the bipartisan concept — an endangered species in the Congress — while preserving the critical link between sustainable forest management, jobs, timber volume, and robust local economies.”

New OFRI Publication Focuses on Fisher and Marten

A new OFRI publication discusses fisher and Humboldt marten, including their biology, the latest research on these forest-dwelling carnivores, and recommendations for forest managers and landowners on how to manage forests where these species live.  

The 16-page Wildlife in Managed Forests: Fisher and Humboldt Marten booklet gives an overview of fisher and Humboldt marten biology and habitat needs. It also summarizes current research that’s helping us gain a better understanding of these species. The publication highlights important scientific findings and management practices that can help forest landowners balance promoting healthy fisher and marten populations with timber production. This includes steps such as retaining large trees and downed wood within timber harvest units to serve as habitat. 

Wildlife in Managed Forests: Fisher and Humboldt Marten is the latest publication in OFRI’s Wildlife in Managed Forests series. You can order these publications or download them for free on OFRI’s website, OregonForests.org.