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Successful programs in Atlanta, Boston, and New York City demonstrated the impact of a coordinated approach between local government, federal government, and industry. The Softwood Lumber Board invites more cities to support the growth of mass timber construction nationwide through combined investments of $100k-$250k per city.

Source: https://www.morningstar.com/news/accesswire/896559msn/new-funding-for-sustainable-mass-timber-construction-in-us-cities

Stimson Lumber will invest $50M in a new high-speed sawmill line at its Forest Grove, Oregon mill. The new line features a Finnish Veisto-Oy HewSaw, arguably one of the finest primary breakdown lines in the industry. The new line will allow the mill to process smaller-diameter logs (4-16″ diameter) at a blazing 560 LF/minute rate. Once operational, it will be the fastest sawline in North America.

Source: https://www.tillamookheadlightherald.com/news/stimson-lumber-invests-50-million-into-new-high-speed-sawline/article_6cc2af18-3b00-11ef-8bd9-fbd199377d6e.html

Gov. Tina Kotek is pressing forward with a pair of nominations to the board that oversees Oregon forest policy after abruptly backing off the plan earlier this month amid pressure from environmental groups.

Source: https://www.opb.org/article/2024/05/28/oregon-governor-kotek-moves-forward-forestry-board-appointments-despite-backlash/

The Oregon Board of Forestry narrowly approved reducing timber harvest by 34% for the next 70 years. The plan was revealed in January 2023 and passed recently despite alarm by counties, taxing districts, businesses, and residents. Despite the input from stakeholders, there were no amendments to the plan.

Source: https://www.lesprom.com/en/news/Hampton_Lumber_responds_to_Board_of_Forestry_decision_to_approve_State_Forest_Habitat_Conservation_Plan_112205/

In 2020, the Beachie Creek Fire burned 1/3 of the Freres Lumber timberland. Freres feels that the Forest Service didn’t follow the fire plan and saw equipment parked when it could have been used on the fire. Instead, the fire was unattended for nine days while the Forest Service fought other fires. While the Federal Government enjoys a high level of immunity from lawsuits, entities can sue for damages caused by negligent acts of government employees.

Source: https://www.statesmanjournal.com/story/news/local/oregon/2024/01/23/oregon-timber-company-sues-forest-service/72316342007/

Plastics are everywhere. Unfortunately, wherever there is plastic, there are microplastics. Plastic is in our air, water, blood, and now…the clouds?

Source: https://www.cnn.com/2023/11/15/weather/microplastic-pollution-weather-study-climate/index.html

One might get into the business of carbon credits for several reasons. The idea is that one is getting paid for not harvesting trees that would have been harvested. There are ways to sell fake carbon credits. An easy way to do this is to sell a credit for an area of forest that would NEVER be harvested (too difficult to harvest, too close to water, already protected, etc.). Carbon credits are valuable when the reference forest is cut down, while the protected forest isn’t. The amoral solution? Burn down the reference forest. It’s not good for the environment, but it’s great for your bottom line.
Source: https://www.bloomberg.com/opinion/articles/2023-10-17/you-can-t-sell-trees-no-one-cuts-down?embedded-checkout=true

Flatbed rates have been lower in recent history, partially due to the lack of demand. Recent signs indicate that we’ve hit the bottom of that valley, and flatbed rates are starting to increase. Plan accordingly for your long lead-time projects.
Source: https://www.dat.com/blog/flatbed-report-higher-commodity-prices-drive-higher-farm-equipment-sales?utm_source=linkedin&utm_medium=organic_social&utm_campaign=marketupdate

The wildfires in Canada are devastating, with smoke billowing southward and covering much of the United States. Approximately 25% of the softwood lumber used in the United States comes from Canadian forests. As beetle kill has decimated the forests of the west, more softwood lumber is burning on the stump. Canadian production has been on the decline for the last decade and is projected to continue to do so for decades. With the vast demand in the US, where will this supply come from?
Source: https://www.bnnbloomberg.ca/will-wildfires-have-an-impact-on-canada-s-lumber-industry-1.1933131

Currently, it takes years for state-managed land to get approval for logging. Legislation winding through could shorten that time to days in the most extreme cases. Proponents say that the bill will alleviate fire danger and revitalize its ailing logging industry. Opponents are concerned that lacking specificity gives the Department of Natural Resources too much discretion to decide which forests can be speedily sold and cut.

Source: https://alaskabeacon.com/2023/04/26/house-passed-bill-would-trim-the-time-needed-for-alaska-loggers-to-cut-state-owned-forests/