Owl Policy Howler - By: Dan Shell - Timber Harvesting and Forest Operations

America’s relationship with its wildlife historically has been complicated, to say the least. The nation has been a global leader in wildlife protection laws, but the distant past has some dark eras: Whales by the thousands hunted to near extinction worldwide for meat, teeth and mostly blubber to use for oil. Millions of passenger pigeons were slaughtered to complete extinction so city folk could have cheap squab dinners. The Carolina parakeet vanished from the earth because fancy ladies needed fancy hats. And now, during the next 30 years the U.S. government is proposing to hammer 400,000 barred owls with shotguns to save the spotted owl from a bad evolutionary arc.

Wait, what?

Yep, you heard right. The same folks who managed to kill off hundreds of mills and tens of thousands of good family wage jobs by reducing timber harvests in the Pacific Northwest to save the spotted owl now say it’s not the mills that buy the timber or even loggers who cut it who are the spotted owls’ big threat. Instead, it’s the owls who are their own worst enemy.

Specifically, barred owls, the spotted owl’s well-traveled East Coast cousins with a highly adaptive lifestyle, are the problem, says the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (FWS). And there really is a FWS proposal out there to save falling spotted owl populations by pounding the barred owls. Way back in July 2022 the agency filed a “Barred Owl Management Strategy; Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement; Washington, Oregon, and California.” And one of the proposed management alternatives is the elimination of thousands of barred owls, up to 400,000 over 30 years, in various parts of Washington, Oregon and northern California.

And just like those loggers years ago, the barred owls gotta go, too. Turns out the FWS calls the barred owl an “alien species” because it migrated westward and wasn’t found at all in the Pacific Northwest until the 1950s.

Unlike their spotted cousins who are all hung up on old-growth reliant tree voles and wood rats and picky diets, barred owls eat the same things—plus a whole lot more, and also thrive in wider variety of habitats. The spotteds are also lazy on the nest, reproducing every two or three years instead of annually, which makes it even tougher to sustain populations in the face of barred owl competition.

There have been FWS pilot projects and fairly short-term studies, and I believe them when they say areas that have been “depopulated” of barred owls show less to no decline in spotted owl populations.

And, of course, this being the government the solution to save the owl has to be a big one. How big? Well, how about a pile 400,000 barred owls big? Using average sizes and weights, that’s roughly 300 tons of dead owls, and enough owls to stretch 113 miles if placed head to tail. Either way, it’s a lot of owls. And exactly how did they come up with 400K dead barred owls? If that’s good, wouldn’t 600K be better?

And that brings us to another point: logistics. Someone has to build that 300 ton pile, that 113 mile long line of dead birds owl-by-owl. Even an old timey market hunter used to filling skiffs with ducks might decide 400,000 birds is too much work, but the government evidently is not to be deterred.

Let’s do the math here. Over 30 years, that’s 13,333 owls a year, which works out to only 37 owls per day. But that’s every day, rain or shine, snow or dust. Every day, for 30 years. That means putting lots of boots on the ground and shotguns in the air.

The tongue-in-cheek one-liners just write themselves, but I don’t want to belittle government employees too much. Many are trying to do their best in fulfilling mixed mandates, through common sense (or not), or through management by court order.

And the government’s record on these kinds of things, like the nation’s relationship with its wildlife, is decidedly mixed. I know I’m mixing spotted owl apples with biomass oranges but in Arizona the past decade-plus, the government has come up about 80% short on a contract to treat several hundred thousand acres in danger of wildfires—and the acres aren’t even moving targets, they just sit there.

Then again, at least the barred owls have a fighting chance…to fly away, maybe to a nice wooded suburb with less gunfire and a bunch of bird feeder fattened squirrels. Unlike the Pacific Northwest’s loggers, who were sitting ducks for what was evidently the FWS’ misguided policy 30+ years ago, when the spotted owl was listed as threatened in 1991.

The Dismantling of the American Timber Industry: American Loggers Council Warns of Consequences

WASHINGTON DC (March 25, 2024) — It seems like every time a forest product mill or plant shuts down (monthly if not weekly) it’s viewed as a singular isolated incident. But viewed collectively, the cumulative impacts and magnitude become more focused and apparent. The individual incidents are all symptoms of a larger serious condition that diagnosed properly reveals and represents an unhealthy state of the U.S. timber and forest products industries. 

Forest products mill/plant shutdowns directly impact the mill workers and community, but they also impact the logging sector that sustained that facility, although it is typically not addressed in these announcements. Tracking these shutdowns can serve as a barometer revealing the impacts and losses to logging companies. When mills close, logging companies close, and forest health suffers. 

While there has been some new mill construction and expansion, this cannot be assumed to be an equal offset. A mill opening 150 miles from where a mill closed, or that uses different species and wood specifications, does not equate to a net zero exchange. So, to merely compare lost production volume to new or expanding production outputs and ignore the geographic displacements or different timber specifications is not reflective of the direct losses and impacts.  

The brief summary of U.S. forest products mill closures below may not be all-inclusive, but it does document nearly 50 closures, reductions or curtailments, and it clearly represents an alarming trend during a short period of time (15 months), directly (mill workers) and indirectly (loggers) resulting in ten thousand or more jobs lost. 

While U.S. forest products mills and facilities close, the U.S. is now the leading global importer of softwood lumber as depicted by these pine products from New Zealand in a U.S. big box store.  According to the World Bank, the U.S. imports over $40 billion in wood products from Canada, China and Brazil.

In economic development it is easier to maintain your economic base rather than replace it. Supporting the existing forest products markets should be the first objective. 

However, many contributing factors leading to the decline of the U.S. timber and forest products industries are government policy, regulations, restrictions, unfair trade practices, federal timber supply constraints, and incessant litigation.

First rule of medicine – Do No Harm

 Many current government practices are harming the forests, environment, and economy. The good news is that there is a prescription and treatment to cure the disease. The U.S. needs to be willing to take the medicine, follow the treatment (literally forest management treatment) and promote the utilization of all wood fiber removed from the forests. With forest treatments and wood utilization the health of the economy will be better, the health of the environment will be better, the health of the timber and forest products industries will be better, and the health of the forests will be better. But Congress and the Administration must write the prescription (policies and legislation) to cure the situation, or they can practice “skillful neglect” (the “professional” term for doing nothing) and perpetuate the continued decline of rural jobs and forest health, signing the death certificate. 

The forest-based bioeconomy can help replace the lost legacy markets and transition to renewable fuels, renewable energy, renewable chemicals, renewable industrial wood pellets, renewable building products, all produced from renewable timber.

The Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) was developed to support much of this transition, yet the EPA has failed to fully implement many aspects of the RFS. The EPA misinterpretations, delayed processing, and self-imposed restrictions have impeded full implementation and leveraging of this opportunity. The U.S. needs to administer the Renewable Fuel Standard as intended by Congress in order to facilitate the renewable energy transition.  Forest-based biomass feedstock can provide the input material for renewable natural gas, hydrogen, Sustainable Aviation Fuel, electricity, coal conversion, and steel / concrete production.

The U.S. has not followed the rest of the developed nations with recognizing the carbon neutrality aspects and reduced greenhouse gas emissions of renewable biomass feedstock when replacing fossil fuels. The rest of the world has. The U.S. is out of step with the accepted global science of biomass feedstock for energy production to address climate change. The U.S. needs to develop a domestic bioeconomy market and policy just as the rest of the developed world has.

Support of the timber, forest products, and bioeconomy sector’s growth will demonstrate a commitment to revitalizing America’s rural economy, communities, and ailing forest health, while developing and transitioning into renewable forest-based bioproducts. Forest health and the timber industry share a symbiotic relationship that is interdependent and mutually beneficial. 

Otherwise, the U.S. can continue to add to the list below.

Jan 2023: West Fraser Announces Indefinite Curtailment of Perry Sawmill in Florida, 126 jobs lost.

Feb 2023: Georgia-Pacific closing facility in Texas, 166 jobs lost

Feb 2023: Canton N.C,'s Evergreen Packaging scales back production

Mar 2023: Pactiv Evergreen closing mill in Canton, North Carolina, 1000 jobs lost

Mar 2023: Sonoco Hutchinson, Kansas Paper Mill closes, 116 employees laid off

Mar 2023: Clearwater Paper closing Georgia facility, 150 jobs lost

Mar 2023: Jay Pixelle paper mill stops making paper, 230 jobs lost

Mar 2023: R.R. Donnelley closing Plainfield, Indiana facility, eliminating 79 jobs

Mar 2023: ND Paper Old Town mill shutting down for extended period

Apr 2023: Billerud temporarily idles Escanaba, Michigan mill

Apr 2023: ReEnergy BioMass, Fort Hood, N.Y., 28 jobs lost

Apr 2023: Nine Dragons Paper (ND), Extended downtime announced, Old Town, Maine and Fairmont W.Virginia. (recycled feedstock)

May 2023: Cascades to Close Underperforming U.S. Tissue Plants, S.C., OR, 350 jobs lost

May 2023: WestRock to Close Paper Mill in North Charleston, South Carolina, 500 jobs lost

May 2023: Cascades: Permanent closure of a paper machine at the Niagara Falls mill, 40 jobs lost

May 2023: PCA idling Wallula, Washington mill, 300 laid off.

May 2023: Canton paper mill bell sounds for final time, signaling an end after 115 years

Jun 2023: Graphic Packaging to close Auburn, Indiana site, 70 jobs lost

Jun 2023: Western Forest Products to Temporarily Reduce Lumber Production Due to Weak Market Conditions

Jun 2023: Roseburg Forest Products to close Mississippi plant, 100 jobs lost

Jul 2023: Paper Excellence's Catalyst Crofton Mill Shuts Down for July

Jul 2023: Essity to close manufacturing facilities in New York, impacting hundreds of workers, 300 jobs lost

Jul 2023: WestRock to close St. Louis facility, 52 jobs lost

Aug 2023: WestRock Announces Plans to Close Tacoma, Wash., Paper Mill, 400 jobs lost

Aug 2023: WestRock plans to close Indiana facility, 100 employees to lose their jobs

Sep 2023: Georgia-Pacific closes mill in Green Bay after 122 years, 170 jobs lost

Sep 2023: Billerud's Escanaba Mill to temporarily layoff employees in October

Sep 2023: Georgia-Pacific to permanently close Foley Mill in Florida, 535 jobs lost.

Sep 2023: WestRock packaging company to close Louisville, Kentucky locations

Sep 2023: WestRock closing Fridley, Minnesota facility, laying off 70 employees

Sep 2023: Menasha Packaging cutting 66 Madison County, Illinois jobs

Oct 2023: Graphic Packaging to permanently remove K3 CRB machine at Kalamazoo mill in Michigan

Oct 2023: Rayonier Advanced Materials to Temporarily Idle Production at its Paperboard and High-Yield Pulp Operations

Oct 2023: International Paper to close mill in Orange, TX and reduce production in Pensacola, Fl, cut about 900 jobs.

Oct 2023: Hood Container cutting 88 jobs, closing N.C. facility

Nov 2023: Boise Cascade to curtail lumber production in Chapman, Alabama, 80 jobs lost

Nov 2023: Bristol Lumber, Vermont, 40 jobs lost

Dec 2023: WestRock closure in Charleston, SC.  500 jobs lost.

Jan 2024: WestRock facility in Washington is closing, laying off 87

Jan 2024: Hampton Lumber closing in Banks, Oregon, 58 jobs lost.

Jan 2024: WestRock to close Lexington, N.C. facility, lay off 153

Jan 2024: Graphic Packaging to close Grand Rapids-area plant, laying off 111 workers

Jan 2024: Graphic Packaging to close Charlotte facility, lay off over 100 employees

Jan 2024: Soundview Putney, Vermont paper mill to close, putting 125 people out of work

Jan 2024: PaperWorks Industries to cut 74 jobs in North Carolina as it closes facility

Jan 2024: West Fraser to close one sawmill, curtail another due to high costs and soft markets (Florida & Arkansas), 219 jobs lost

Feb 2024: Domtar to Curtail Paper Operations at Arkansas Ashdown Mill

Feb 2024: Mohawk Fine Papers shutdown leaves nearly 100 jobless

Feb 2024: Interfor Announces Lumber Production Curtailments in Oregon, 100 jobs lost.

Feb 2024: Cascades closing two facilities in Ontario, one in Connecticut, 310 jobs affected

Feb 2024: DPI Michigan and Ohio.  200 jobs lost.

Feb 2024: Alleghany Wood Products closes in West Virginia, 800 jobs lost. 

March 2024: Pyramid Mountain Lumber, Montana, 100 jobs lost. 

March 2024: Roseburg Forest Products, Montana, 150 jobs lost. 

Note: Prolonged mill quotas (timber delivery supply limits and restrictions) have been imposed by some southeastern mills reducing volume to levels unable sustain cashflow/debt service for loggers.

Sources:

Global PaperMoney, Closures and Cutbacks in 2023, 2024

Public News Media

World Bank, World Integrated Trade Solutions (WITS), Imports by Country 2021

U.S. International Trade Commission, Forest Products 2020

Observatory of Economic Complexity, Lumber Softwood, 2022

LBM Journal, Report: U.S. Increasingly dependent on overseas lumber, January 2021

TIMBER-ONLINE, Shift in global softwood lumber trade flows, 2021

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Extension of Certain Timber Sale Contracts; Finding of Substantial Overriding Public Interest

With over 50 mill closures over the past 14 months and other challenging factors, the American Loggers Council was pleased to assist with securing the USFS Substantial Overriding Public Interest (SOPI) declaration that allows for rate redeterminations and extensions on USFS timber contracts that meet certain criteria.

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service

Extension of Certain Timber Sale Contracts; Finding of Substantial Overriding Public Interest

AGENCY: Forest Service, Agriculture (USDA)

ACTION: Notice of rate redeterminations and contract extensions.

SUMMARY: The Chief of the Forest Service, Department of Agriculture, has determined that it is in the substantial overriding public interest (SOPI) to redetermine pulpwood rates and extend up to two years certain National Forest System timber sales and sale of property stewardship contracts. This finding applies to timber sale and sale of property stewardship contracts that were awarded before March 13, 2024, and, upon award, to contracts with a bid opening prior to March 13, 2024, subject to specified exceptions. Contracts with 20 percent or more of the included product listed as pulpwood with required removal will qualify for a pulpwood rate redetermination and may qualify for an extension under this SOPI finding. The SOPI determination is due to a combination of factors impacting the national economy and the pulp, paper, and chips markets. The intended effect of pulpwood rate redeterminations and extensions of certain timber and sale of property contracts is to allow timber purchasers and contractors time to navigate through the market conditions; to minimize contract defaults, mill closures, and bankruptcies; to sustain employment opportunities, and to minimize the time-consuming and often difficult process of collecting default damages. Without a vibrant forest products industry, the Forest Service cannot manage the land to meet the multiple forest management and restoration objectives nationwide as intended and funded by Congress.

DATES: The SOPI determination was made on March 8, 2024, by the Chief of the Forest Service, Department of Agriculture.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kraig Kidwell, Contracts and Appraisals Group Lead, at 541-961-2614 or by email at kraig.kidwell@usda.gov, or Mike Spisak, Assistant Director Forest Management, at 910-975-0114 or by email at michael.spisak@usda.gov; 1400 Independence Ave. SW., Mailstop 1103, Washington, DC 20250-1103. Individuals who use telecommunications devices for the hearing impaired may call 711 to reach the Telecommunications Relay Service, 24 hours a day, every day of the year, including holidays.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Forest Service sells timber and forest products from National Forest System lands to individuals and companies pursuant to the National Forest Management Act of 1976, 16 U.S.C. 472a (NFMA); the Stewardship End Result Contracting Projects Act, 16 U.S.C. 6591c; and implementing regulations in 36 CFR Part 223. Each sale is formalized by execution of a contract for the sale of property between the timber purchaser or stewardship contractor and the Forest Service. The contract sets forth the terms of the sale including such matters as the estimated volume of timber to be removed, the period for removal, price to be paid to the Government, and road construction and logging requirements. The average sale of property contract period is approximately 3 to 4 years, although some contracts have terms up to 10 years. The contract term is established by the Forest Service based on the estimated time an average prudent timber contractor would need to mobilize and complete the timber harvest under the conditions of the contract. Paragraph 14(c) of NFMA (16 U.S.C. 472a(c)) provides that the Secretary of Agriculture shall not extend any timber sale contract period with an original term of 2 years or more unless the Secretary finds that the purchaser has diligently performed in accordance with an approved plan of operations, or that the ‘‘substantial overriding public interest’’ justifies the extension. This authority is delegated to the Chief of the Forest Service through Forest Service Manuals 2404.11 and 2453.17, referencing 36 CFR 223.32, and 36 CFR 223.31.

Background

When members of the timber industry must decide whether to harvest timber during severely depressed markets and times of high inflation, or risk defaulting contracts, such decisions can and have led to bankruptcies, loss of infrastructure, and loss of jobs. This adversely affects stability in rural communities and the future management of National Forests as important opportunities and outlets for material disposal are lost. Providing additional contract time during significant market downturns allows timber purchasers additional flexibility to navigate the crisis and sustain long-term business viability.

On December 7, 1990, the Forest Service published a final rule (55 FR 50643) establishing procedures in 36 CFR 223.52 for extending contract termination dates in response to adverse conditions in timber markets. These procedures, known as Market Related Contract Term Additions (MRCTA), authorize extensions of timber contracts when qualifying market conditions are met. Subsequent amendments have provided that the total contract term may be extended up to 10 years as the result of MRCTA when specified criteria are met. When the MRCTA procedures were established, experience indicated that the type and magnitude of lumber market declines that would trigger market related contract term additions generally coincide with low numbers of housing starts and substantial economic dislocation in the wood products industry. MRCTA procedures were adopted by the Forest Service to avert contract defaults, mill closures, and associated impacts to dependent communities when there is a drastic decline in wood product prices (36 CFR 223.52).

In promulgating the MRCTA rule, the Department determined that a drastic reduction in wood product prices can result in a substantial overriding public interest sufficient to justify a contract term extension for existing contracts, as authorized by NFMA (16 U.S.C. 472a(c)) and existing regulations at 36 CFR 223.115(b). Most Forest Service timber sale contracts over 1-year in length include MRCTA procedures. Salvage sales and sales of products not covered in a Bureau of Labor Statistics producer price index (PPI) used to determine when MRCTA triggers are examples of contracts that do not include a MRCTA provision.

Market Conditions

The U.S. pulp and paper industry accounts for upwards of 30 percent of the global pulp and paper production (https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/north-america-pulp-and-paper-market-106617), producing 46.66 million metric tons of pulp for paper in 2022 (https://www.statista.com/statistics/1276346/annual-pulp-production-united-states/). Globally, consumption of pulp for paper has tripled since the 1960s with 197.17 million metric tons of consumption in 2022, although several notable drops in consumption having occurred and recovered through this period (https://www.statista.com/statistics/1177457/consumption-of-pulp-worldwide/). There is a corresponding increase in the global consumption of paper and paperboard, estimated at 414.19 million metric tons and almost a 75 percent increase from 1990 levels (https://www.statista.com/statistics/270319/consumption-of-paper-and-cardboard-since-2006/). Although global consumption has increased, domestically the long-term trends show a 30 percent decline in use of paper and paperboard since 2000, with consumption dropping from 93.4 million metric tons to 65.76 million metric tons in 2022 (https://www.statista.com/statistics/252710/total-us-consumption-of-paper-and-board-since-2001/).

During the same period, the PCU3211133211135 producer price index (PPI) used to value pulp and paper has continued to trend upwards with only a few significant drops in the market that initiated market-related contract term additions or emergency rate redeterminations on Forest Service contracts, most recently during the 2009–2013 period. See PPI industry data for Sawmills-Wood chips, excluding field chips, not seasonally adjusted from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics at https://data.bls.gov/cgi-bin/dsrv?pc. Following the COVID-19 pandemic, increases in paper use combined with the slow downsizing of the pulp and paper industry over time through mill closures and reductions in output have helped maintain the producer price index at high values. The preliminary January 2024 PCU3211133211135 producer price index from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics is currently 143.926, down slightly from 20-year highs.

The three Bureau of Labor Statistics producer price indices the Forest Service currently uses to gauge most market conditions include Hardwood Lumber 0812, Softwood Lumber 0811, and Chips (not field chips) PCU3211133211135, per 36 CFR 223.52. However, these indices are not able to address all forest products and market conditions. For example, biomass material, which is a large component of many stewardship contracts, is not covered by these indices. Because the indices are national in scope, they may fail to address drastic declines in local markets or products and, more importantly at this time, local and regional markets affected by mill closures, raw material delivery quotas, and reductions in finished product outputs at facilities.

As one measure of the overall timber and forest products market, beginning in the fourth quarter of 2021, the Softwood Lumber producer price index declined enough for applicable contracts to qualify for relief under Market Related Contract Term Addition (MRCTA) provisions. This trend has continued, with contracts based in the Softwood Lumber PPI qualifying for MRCTA in 9 of the last 12 consecutive quarters. In addition, contracts based in the 0811 Softwood Lumber PPI and awarded in 19 of the previous 40 months have triggered for emergency rate redeterminations, with many contracts triggering more than once. A purchaser may apply for an emergency rate redetermination if the producer price index identified in the contract has declined by 25 percent since the award date or last rate redetermination.

A similar downward trend has occurred in the Hardwood Lumber PPI beginning in the second quarter of 2018, but contracts did not begin to qualify for MRCTA until September of 2022. Since then, the Hardwood Lumber PPI has qualified for MRCTA in six consecutive quarters. In addition to the MRCTA, the Hardwood Lumber PPI met the criteria for emergency rate redeterminations for nine consecutive months in late 2021 into 2022. The hardwood market has stabilized somewhat since and not triggered additional emergency rate redeterminations, although contracts are still qualifying for the MRCTA through the most recent calendar quarter.

The last qualifying quarter for MRCTA with the PCU3211133211135 producer price index was 2013 and the last qualifying month for an emergency rate redetermination was in 2012. Due to consistent reduction in domestic paper usage and an increase in recycling, pulp and paper producers appear to be “right sizing” with mill closures and output reductions to keep the market resilient. The recent mill closures, and delivery quotas due to the subsequent raw material supply surplus, appears to reflect the continuous decline in pulp and paper consumption over the past 20 plus years and accelerated by inflationary pressures. Paper mills that also have historically used large quantities of new pulp fiber are now sourcing more from cheaper recycled material and very low-cost mill residuals. As noted, the gradual downsizing of the industry combined with post-pandemic increases in packaging and shipping paper has helped maintain the producer price index and finished goods markets while reducing raw material intake. This SOPI will provide a rate redetermination to offset the post-pandemic inflation costs, provide time for qualifying purchasers and contractors whose operations are disrupted by mill closures and delivery quotas, and allow time for raw material supplies to stabilize.

Rate Redeterminations and Contract Extensions

Pursuant to this SOPI, and as discussed herein, contracts with 20 percent or more of the Included Timber in A(T)2 identified as “pulpwood” at award or included through modification or agreement and appraised with product codes 02, 08, and 14, will qualify for pulpwood rate redetermination and may qualify for an extension under this SOPI finding. Extensions will be granted upon written request of the contract holder, except under the following conditions: (1) the contract holder’s request includes timber and forest products in urgent need of removal due to forest health conditions or to mitigate a significant wildfire threat to a community, municipal watershed, or other critical public resource, or (2) included timber is designated by diameter and a delay in harvesting may change the treatment required under the contract because of trees growing into or outside of the specified diameter range(s). Contracts that are in breach will not qualify for relief until such breach is remedied. The percentage of included product and percentage of the contract completion is determined by the Forest Service as of the date the written request is received by the Contracting Officer. Relief will be provided to qualifying contracts in the manner described below.

Contracts that have removed 75 percent or more of all included volume. These contracts may receive a rate redetermination for the pulpwood product only. Rates will not be adjusted upward, only downward if a rate redetermination shows a decrease. Rates cannot be redetermined below base rates and base rates will not be adjusted. No additional time will be added to these contracts under this SOPI. Contract term extensions may be granted upon the written request of the purchaser and at the discretion of the Contracting Officer in contracts that contain provisions for contract term extension.

Contracts that have removed 50 percent or more and less than 75 percent of all included volume. These contracts may receive a rate redetermination for the pulpwood product only. Rates will not be adjusted upward, only downward if a rate redetermination shows a decrease. Rates cannot be redetermined below base rates and base rates will not be adjusted. Contract termination dates may be extended up to one year from the current termination date. Downpayment amounts will be recalculated, and periodic payments will be extended an equal amount of time. Timber sale contracts may be extended beyond the 10-year contract term limitation with this SOPI determination. Future Market Related Contract Term Additions may be granted following contract procedures, except that contracts will not qualify for Additions if they are extended beyond a 10-year contract term under the SOPI, pursuant to 36 CFR 223.52.

Contracts that have removed less than 50 percent of all included volume. These contracts may receive a rate redetermination for the pulpwood product only. Rates will not be adjusted upward, only downward if rate redetermination shows a decrease. Rates cannot be redetermined below base rates and base rates will not be adjusted. Contract termination dates may be extended up to two years from the current termination date. Downpayment amounts will be recalculated, and periodic payments will be extended an equal amount of time. Contracts can be extended beyond the 10-year contract term limitation with this SOPI determination. Future Market Related Contract Term Additions may be granted following contract procedures, except that contracts will not qualify for Additions if they are extended beyond a 10-year contract term under the SOPI, pursuant to 36 CFR 223.52.

Contracts that have received Diligent Performance Extensions in the previous 12 months will have the extension time granted under this SOPI, if any, reduced by the length of time granted for the Diligent Performance Extension. Integrated Resource Timber Contracts may require modification to mandatory stewardship projects if the rate redetermination reduces current contract value below that needed to pay for the projects. If the rate redetermination results in a deficit appraisal on the pulpwood product, the deficit will not be offset with positive value species and the rates for pulpwood will be base rates with no change to rates for positive value species.

Chief’s Determination of Substantial Overriding Public Interest

The Government benefits if timber contract defaults, mill closures, and bankruptcies can be avoided by granting rate redeterminations and extensions. The forest products industry is critical to addressing the wildfire crisis and meeting forest management and climate change objectives nationally, while supporting hundreds of thousands of meaningful jobs throughout the country. Having numerous economically viable timber purchasers increases competition for National Forest System timber contracts, results in higher prices paid for such timber, and allows the Forest Service to provide a continuous supply of timber to the public in accordance with the Organic Administration Act. In addition, by extending contracts and avoiding defaults, closures, and bankruptcies, the Government avoids the difficult, lengthy, expensive, and sometimes impossible process of collecting default damages.

By preventing defaults, better utilization of various forest resources (consistent with the provisions of the Multiple-Use Sustained-Yield Act of 1960) will result if contracts can be extended beyond 10 years because of this finding. Therefore, pursuant to 16 U.S.C. 472a(c), and subject to specific conditions and exceptions, I have determined that it is in the substantial overriding public interest to redetermine pulpwood rates and extend, up to two years, certain National Forest System timber sale and sale of property stewardship contracts that were awarded before March 13, 2024, or had a bid opening date prior to March 13, 2024, but have not yet been awarded.

Total contract length may exceed 10 years because of an extension under this SOPI determination. Downpayment amounts will be recalculated and any periodic payment due dates that have not been reached, as of the date the Contracting Officer receives a written request for a SOPI extension, shall be adjusted one day for each day of additional contract time granted.

To receive an extension and periodic payment deferral pursuant to this SOPI, purchasers must make a written request and agree to release the Forest Service from all claims and liability during the extension period if a contract extended pursuant to this finding is suspended, modified, or terminated in the future. The Forest Service shall continue to monitor market conditions to determine if additional relief measures may be needed in the future.

Randy Moore - Chief, Forest Service

Safer Routes for Logging Trucks in Mississippi

March 9, 2024 - Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (MS) secured a provision in the Transportation – HUD Appropriations Bill, signed into law today, to allow unprocessed agricultural commodities, including raw or unfinished forest products (e.g. logs, pulpwood, biomass, wood chips) at current Mississippi state weight limits (88,000 pounds) on an interstate highway within the borders of Mississippi.

“Removing these heavy trucks from Mississippi’s state and rural roads is a matter of safety, and I think this needed change will improve public safety and commerce in our state.” -Senator Hyde-Smith

Senator Hyde-Smith worked with the Mississippi Loggers Association, the Mississippi Forestry Association, and the Farm Bureau Federation of Mississippi to ensure this important measure was included. Senator Hyde-Smith also acknowledged the collaboration Senator Susan Collins (ME) with support and guidance on this legislation.  

These trucks and weights have been legally operating on rural and state road systems across the state of Mississippi and other states. This legislation does not increase the weight of trucks, or introduce heavier trucks to the roadways, it only allows trucks currently operating at the state authorized weights to access the safest route and allow them to divert from less direct rural routes that required them to drive through small towns, school zones, pedestrian areas, and residential neighborhoods.

Countless engineering, transportation, and academic studies (*ref) have concluded that the safety, economic, and environmental benefits of improving transportation efficiency are obtained by utilizing the federal interstate system where available.  These benefits include safer routes;shorter transits; less fuel consumption;increased mpg; less greenhouse gas emissions;fewer accidents; and less road wear.

The U.S. federal interstate transportation policy is a fragmented, inconsistent, outlier when compared to non-interstate road systems. New England states allow agricultural product trucks permitted for higher weights to transit the interstate systems. Minnesota allows agricultural products to be transported at state maximum weights along a 23-mile interstate transportation corridor. Wisconsin and North Carolina interstate segments, newly incorporated into the interstate system, are grandfathered in at the prior (higher) state weight limits. Now, with Mississippi securing similar authorization, ample precedent has been established to support other states in pursuit of comparable authorization.

The American Loggers Council supports the establishment of the Safe Routes legislation to extend the option for states to create parity between their existing truck weights and interstate weight limits to establish a uniform and efficient transportation policy and system.

Contact:  

David Livingston, Executive Director, Mississippi Loggers Association, dlivingston.mla@gmail.com 601-203-2721

Casey Anderson, Executive Director, Mississippi Forestry Association, canderson@msforestry.net 601-354-4937

Mike McCormick, President, Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation, mmccormick@msfb.org 601-977-4290

Scott Dane, Executive Director, American Loggers Council, scott.dane@amloggers.com, 202-627-6961

*Reference Sources:

Mississippi Log Truck Accidents from 2014-2018, Dr. John B. Auel, Mississippi Forestry Association.

University of Georgia Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, Safety, Cost-Effectiveness and Efficiency of Shifting to Interstates, Dr. Joseph Conrad.

Reference Sources Continued*

University of Minnesota, An Assessment of the Safety and Efficiency of Log Trucks with Increased Weight Limits on Interstate Highways in Minnesota and Wisconsin.

Minnesota Department of Transportation, Minnesota Truck Size and Weight Project, 2005.

Wisconsin State Legislature Passes Lawsuit Abuse Reform

The Wisconsin State Legislature has recently received praise from the trucking industry for implementing a sensible reform in the state's civil litigation system. This reform involves capping non-economic damage awards at $1 million, which the industry believes is crucial in maintaining fairness and balance in civil litigation. By limiting these subjective, nonmonetary losses, the industry aims to discourage abusive and frivolous lawsuits that have turned the system into a lucrative profit center for the plaintiffs' bar.

Chris Spear, the President and CEO of American Trucking Associations, emphasized the negative impact of turning civil litigation into a game of 'jackpot justice' by the plaintiffs' bar. He highlighted that the costs of such practices are ultimately borne by everyone, including trucking companies and consumers who face higher insurance rates and prices for everyday goods. Spear expressed that this reform promotes justice and fairness as the driving forces behind accident litigation outcomes rather than profits.

The legislation, known as SB 613, was approved by the State Assembly through a voice vote and by the State Senate with a 21-11 majority. It is now awaiting Governor Tony Evers' signature.

Wisconsin's trucking industry plays a significant role in providing middle-class jobs, with around 183,780 individuals employed in the sector across the state.

"Grandma's Wisdom" Written By: ALC President, Mike Albrecht

As the American Loggers Council President, I will do my best to help represent loggers at the national level. My best will require continually falling back on quotes from my two grandmas, one from Grandma Ainsworth, and one from Grandma Albrecht. I will share these quotes in just a moment, but I’d like to first better explain who I am.

The “tag line” at the end of my article notes I have a forestry degree from Duke with some past industry leadership roles. Nice, but that doesn’t really explain who I am. The most spot-on characterization I’ve ever received was from an old cat skinner named Roy Paterson. I was in my early 30’s on a forest road crew down at Shaver Lake, California. There were about eight of us, a cobbled together crew tasked with getting some logging roads built. The first night at dinner, Roy had us go around the table and introduce ourselves.

A couple of guys were loggers, one was just out of prison, one was Roy’s nephew . . . don’t remember the others. Each introduction was short, not eloquent, but sufficient. I was last, and proceeded to pontificate about my forestry degree, my previous work as a consultant in North Carolina, and other drivel. When I was done, there was an awkward silence. Then Roy looked straight at me, and in his low, gravelly voice said, “You ain’t nothin’ but an educated saphead.” The seven other guys guffawed as I turned beet red. From that day on, we all worked as a team, and got a lot of road built.

Over the past 40 years since that humbling beginning, I have been blessed to work with, and learn from, some of the best loggers in California. I was privileged to be hired 35 years ago as general manager of a logging and trucking firm. The owner of that family-run company patiently mentored me, and I became co-owner a few years later. I have always appreciated the great education that my parents worked hard to make possible for me, but my real-life education happened much later in the woods.

I got past Roy’s fairly accurate description, and logging got into my blood as much as, maybe even more than, the love of forest silviculture and management that had brought me there in the first place. Over the years, our company has had as many as 75 employees, with 22 trucks, 2 cut-to-length sides, a mechanized side, 2 chipping sides, and a CAT side. I’ve been to numerous logging truck wrecks, and have transported a few employees to ER, trying to decide whether or not to stop at the stoplights.

We’ve had years that ended with all the bills paid and money in the bank. We’ve had really rough years with one that ended up visiting with a bankruptcy attorney. That served to make us realize that bankruptcy is much worse than the hard work to avoid it. Our company has thinned roughly 75,000 acres of public land on the Stanislaus National Forest. If anything, this “educated saphead” has learned that he is no more than one cog in the wheel we call logging.

Over the past three decades, our logging business has downsized right along with California’s timber industry. I’ve watched logging get rebranded as timber harvesting, then forest thinning, then vegetation management, to the newest moniker, forest restoration. Today, loggers are tasked with producing a product America needs and wants, while trying to protect anything that might get harmed by our operations. Over the years, that has included spotted owls, pine martens, goshawks and a myriad of floral species. I remember a job where we had to protect a “frog crossing.” Loggers have always worked hard to protect forest ecosystems and the creatures that live there, but we too often see environmental protections designed to “prevent” rather than protect.

Now looms another challenge to “protect” trees. Spurred on by an environmental watchdog group called Environment America, the newest issue confronting our industry is the recent Biden Administration directive regarding “mature and old growth” forests. Here’s where Grandma Ainsworth’s advice would come in handy. As folks considered this topic, she would have advised, “Keep an open mind, but don’t let your brains fall out.”

I’m afraid that on the old growth topic, it may be too late. If some folks’ brains haven’t fallen out, they most certainly are leaking. Under these recently implemented guidelines, any new projects proposing vegetation management that occurs where “old growth conditions exist” must be “submitted to the National Forest Deputy Chief for review and approval.” It often takes years to get forest management projects approved at the Forest Supervisor and Regional Office levels. I can only imagine how long it will take to also clear the Deputy Chief’s office.

Since 2015, 20% of all the mature giant sequoias in the world have been lost to catastrophic fire. This fact inspired Congress in 2022 to pass H.R. 8168, the “Save Our Sequoias Act.” Endorsed by the Save the Redwoods League, the act declares an emergency to expedite work on the ground intended to “save” the sequoias. That work has to include thinning out forests that are now so overgrown that even the fire-resistant old growth giant sequoias are succumbing to catastrophic wildfire. How work around the giant sequoias will square with the old growth “hands off” edict from the President remains to be seen.

America currently has approximately 112 million acres of Designated Wilderness, 425 National Parks, 6,792 State Parks, and approximately 13,000 miles of Wild and Scenic Rivers. The proposed protections for mature (80 million acres) and old growth (32 million acres) would more than double the amount of American “protected” forestland restricted to minimal or zero production of wood products.

This is a good spot to update an important fact: America is no longer the second leading importer of lumber in the world. We are now the number one IMPORTER of lumber in the world. So, Congress, US Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management . . . as extreme environmental groups lobby you daily and litigate you often, Grandma Ainsworth would remind you, “Keep an open mind, but don’t let your brains fall out.”

I’ll end this message with Grandma Albrecht’s quote. She said these words during the height of WWII just after receiving the news that her oldest son had been killed when the B-17 he piloted was shot down, and her other son (my dad) had just been wounded with a bullet that grazed his head. She said, “God knows, He loves, He cares, nothing this truth can dim.” I share these words for any of you loggers that are facing personal hardship right now, whether with business, employees, family, the challenges of logging, or simply discouragement with the direction our country seems to be taking.

One Sunday afternoon after church, our pastor pulled me aside and said, “Mike, you are called to be an “encourager.” I think I’ve failed that calling with my past few messages, so I’ll tell you now the title of my next message: “What’s Going Right.”

The American Logger – A Legacy of Achievement

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Mike Albrecht has a master’s degree in forestry from Duke University, is a Registered Professional Forester in California, and has worked for over 45 years in forest management and the forest products industry.

Mike currently serves as president of the American Loggers Council and is a past president of Associated California Loggers and the Sierra Cascade Logging Conference.

“That Was Then . . . This Is Now” A Tale of Two Fires

I’d like to start with a “thank you” to those of you taking the time to read this, and to keep you reading, I’ll share a quick joke that is pertinent to this topic . . . you’ll see why at the end.

A logger went to see his doctor. The doctor said, “Unfortunately, I have some bad news and some even worse news for you.” The logger nervously asked the doctor to give him the bad news first. “The bad news is you only have 24 hours to live.” The logger said, “What could possibly be worse than that?” The doctor said, “I should have told you yesterday.”

We’re going to take a look at two catastrophic western wildfires, the 1933 Tillamook Fire that burned on the Oregon Coast and the 2021 Dixie Fire that burned in Northern California. The following short description of the Tillamook Fire comes from a 320-page book titled “Tillamook Burn Country: A Pictorial History.” It is a comprehensive documentation of one of America’s most horrific wildfires written by Ellis Lucia.

The Tillamook burn raced through over 300,000 acres of mostly Douglas fir, and was described this way by a reporter: “From the summit of the Coast Range to tidewater lines, it is simply one vast and dense forest. It is a forest area of the giant breed, with trees ranging from eight to thirty feet in circumference, and reaching upward from 150-300 feet. In August of 1933, the Oregon coast weather was extreme, humidities dropped to record lows, and a bad fire that had been burning for several days “exploded with the ferocity of an H-bomb.” In twenty incredible hours the Tillamook Fire “rampaged over 220,000 acres, burning fine trees at an astounding rate of 600,000 board feet an hour.”

What occurred on that burn-scarred landscape in the following decades is truly a “legacy of achievement” by citizens, foresters and loggers. “The flames had hardly died and the embers cooled “when foresters and loggers launched what was one of the great salvage efforts of all time.”

At the time, the entire burn area was privately owned. To get this burn salvaged and restored, private timber interests met with local, state, and federal officials who all agreed to the formation of the huge Consolidated Timber Company. This was a bold cooperative enterprise at a time when such things were considered sinful, “almost bordering on Communism.” Consolidated immediately spent $1.5 million for railroad construction, $800,000 for truck roads, and $1.25 million for locomotives, cars, and rolling stock.

And so, the salvage and restoration began. When it was all over, 7.5 billion board feet of the estimated 10 billion board feet killed had been salvaged and converted to lumber. 73 million trees were hand planted with an additional one billion Douglas fir seeds dropped from helicopters. Although a private undertaking, the US Forest Service offered this advice and encouragement: “Measures to rehabilitate the burn should be taken, the cornerstones of which are intensive protection, hazard reduction, intensive salvage logging and reforestation.” There was no environmental impact statement written – the environmental impact spoke for itself.

Decades later, when all the salvage and restoration work had been completed, Ellis Lucia summarizes: “What once was a bleak desolate land is again alive and beautiful.”

That was then . . . this is now.

On July 13, 2021, the Dixie Fire started in the Feather River Canyon of Northern California. When finally contained on October 25, the Dixie had burned through 963,000 acres of Sierra Nevada forests and became the most expensive wildfire suppression effort in US history, costing $637.4 million. The fire damaged or destroyed several communities including Greenville on August 4th, Canyondam on August 5th, and Warner Valley on August 12th.

Two years have passed since the Dixie Fire was contained. Estimates of the total timber destroyed range from 10 to 12 billion board feet on private and public timber combined. The bulk of the private timber has been salvaged. Upwards of 10 billion board feet of public timber remains standing, most of it worthless as lumber at this point. Between 2021 and 2024, the Forest Service Dixie Fire salvage program is estimated to yield 64 million board feet, or .64 percent of the burned timber. The Dixie Fire landscape is destined to rot, grow brush, and reburn.

There is no Ellis Lucia documenting the Dixie Fire story. The scenario that exists on the Dixie Fire today reflects the deterioration of forest management that has been quietly progressing through the western timber-producing states for over four decades, accelerating dramatically since the turn of this century. The extreme environmental groups are being allowed to “manage” our forests by litigation.

The end result is that grossly overcrowded forests rot from insect attacks and burn in catastrophic wildfires while America increasingly imports lumber from other countries. Consider this from the United States International Trade Commission: in 2020 the US imported $44.6 billion of forest products. 16% of US imports (over $7 billion) came from China, the country that is the leading importer of lumber in the world.

The logger sat before the California Legislature at a hearing called to discuss the condition of California’s forests. His testimony was quick and to the point. He told the chairman, “I have some bad news, and some even worse news for you.” The chairman asked the logger to tell the bad news first. “The bad news is that even though California is one-third forested, it now imports over 75% of its wood products. In 1985 California had 150 sawmills. Now, in 2023, only 27 sawmills remain. The chairman replied, “I had no idea . . . what could possibly be worse than that?” The logger said, “We’ve been telling you this for over 50 years. Now America, with almost 780 million acres of forests, is the second leading IMPORTER of lumber in the world, only behind China.

The joke I started with and the story of the logger both have bad news and then worse news, but the difference is, in the joke the patient has no hope. He dies. In the story of the logger, there is still some hope, but only if legislators and agencies recognize that time is getting short for our western forests and take bold action.

Like the legacy of the Tillamook, our legacy needs to be one of achievement. The apathy of “Dixie” stands in the way.

- Mike Albrecht, President, American Loggers Council

The American Logger – A Legacy of Achievement

Mike Albrecht has a master’s degree in forestry from Duke University, is a Registered Professional Forester in California, and has worked for over 45 years in forest management and the forest products industry.

Mike currently serves as president of the American Loggers Council and is a past president of Associated California Loggers and the Sierra Cascade Logging Conference.

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TEAM Safe Trucking End of the Year President’s Message

“Strong Times Create Weak Men, Tough Times Create Strong Men”

Greetings all,

I hope this holiday season finds everyone well. We at TEAM Safe Trucking realize it’s been a tough year for most in the forest products industry. With mill closures and slowdowns, rising insurance and fuel costs, and the lack of good help, we have all felt some part of the struggle. Although we do not know when this downward trend in our line of work will change, we have to keep in mind how cyclical our economy and industry are. I believe that if we stick together, we will get through this and come out stronger.

TEAM Safe Trucking has also had a challenging year, but we have successfully overcome several obstacles that were holding us back. We hired a new Special Projects Coordinator and restructured TST to be more stable in the future. Our website has also been updated to make it easier to navigate. One of our goals is to help with an expense of concern for many of us…trucking insurance. We have all seen the cost of our premiums steadily increase, but some don’t realize that driver training can help alleviate some of this burden. By watching and learning from our training videos, drivers can improve their safety while on the road, which in turn will help improve your Safer Score with FMCSA. This score directly affects the cost of your trucking insurance.

If we, as business owners and leaders in our industry, don’t take charge of our destiny, who knows what the future will hold? Remember, it cannot and will not happen overnight – it will take time to change, but all good things take time. With the help of TEAM Safe Trucking, I feel we can all work together to change the tide and start to bring these premiums down. There is strength in numbers, as our name says “Together Everyone Accomplishes More (TEAM)”. If you have not already done so, please consider joining TST (admin@teamsafetrucking.com) and making us your “go-to” for forest products transportation safety training. With your support and commitment, we will continually work to improve our course offerings and your safety ratings. Safety costs money now but pays dividends later, so why not make an investment in your future today?

Wrapping up, I would like to sincerely thank all of the members and users of TEAM Safe Trucking, our Board of Directors, and the Executive Committee for all of your help with the restructuring this past year. We have come a long way and are ready to drive forward even stronger. I also want to extend a huge thank you to one of my right hands, Wendy Harrell, the Special Projects Coordinator for all of your hard work.

I wish you all a blessed and healthy holiday season and look forward to a great 2024!

Sincerely,

Robert “Bob” Lussier, President

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Inconsistent Federal Transportation Policy Hurting the Economy and Environment

The U.S. Federal Transportation Policy is a disjointed, bureaucratic hodgepodge of restrictions and requirements lacking consistency across the states, imposed under the extortive threat of federal funding losses.

What weighs more? A ton of milk or a ton of logs?

A ton is still a ton, there is no difference. Why, then, can a truck hauling milk carry heavier loads than a truck carrying logs on the Federal Interstate? This is but one example of the vagaries of a federal policy that allows specific commodities exemptions or authorization to carry more weight on the Federal Interstate System.

In many areas, there is a wide disparity between the speed and weight limits on state and interstate roadways, even when compared with other Interstate Highways. For instance, in New England states, trucks hauling timber are authorized to access the Federal Interstate System at 100,000 pounds. Meanwhile, on a specific 23-mile corridor of federal interstate in Minnesota, trucks are allowed to haul timber up to 99,000 pounds. Other sections of the interstate in different states are grandfathered in at higher weights than the standard Interstate weight limit.

Are particular Federal Interstate Highways in New England or other states built to a different engineering standard than federal interstates in other states?

The answer is no, they are all built to the same standards. Similar bureaucratic manipulation is apparent with the Electric Vehicle push. The heavier electric semi-trucks would by law have been forced to carry less cargo, thus increasing transportation costs which would be passed onto the consumer. But EV semi-trucks have now been authorized to carry 2,000 more pounds (4,000 in Europe) to accommodate the heavier batteries of the EV semi-trucks. So again, what weighs more? Batteries or logs?

Optimum transportation weights are recognized as a major contributing factor in maximizing transportation efficiency, reducing consumer costs, and improving safety while resulting in less carbon emissions. Transportation engineering studies have recognized the opportunity to safely increase truck weights on the federal interstate system. Congress has established precedents with carve-outs and exemptions in select states for specific commodities, routes, and weights. Globally, other countries and regions, specifically Canada and the European Union, allow for heavier weight limits on their roadways.

Why doesn’t Congress and the Administration establish competitive, efficient, and uniform weight standards for the federal interstate system?

It seems that the influence and targeted opposition of the railroad lobbyists are derailing (pun intended) the overriding goals of the Transportation Department to provide safe and efficient avenues for the nation. It would be much better for our national transportation goals if the railroad industry invested in their equipment, tracks, and safety instead of investing in politicians. With the history of accidents and hazardous chemical spills exposing communities to life-threatening situations, the railways have plenty to focus on.

This year Congress has the opportunity to put the economy, environment, and public safety above monopolistic railroad interests by supporting the Safe Routes Act of 2023. This Bill has been introduced in both the Senate and House of Representatives. Failure to pass the Safe Routes Act of 2023 will continue to expose the public to unnecessary safety risks, increase consumer product costs, generate more carbon emissions, and contribute to climate change by requiring the use of more fossil fuels.

The question for Congress and the Administration is simple – Are you going to establish uniform, consistent, and fair Federal Transportation Policies across the country, or are you going to continue to allow unelected lobbyists to dictate transportation policy at the expense of the general public?

The Administration and many in Congress profess wanting to reduce fossil fuel use, reduce carbon emissions, improve the economy, create rural jobs, and support general welfare and safety. This is the perfect opportunity to demonstrate their commitment to these priorities by passing the Safe Routes Act of 2023. Choosing not to support the Safe Routes Act of 2023 would be a demonstration of whose best interest is being served by our elected officials.

Let the Sawdust Fly: October 2023

Jimmies’ logging career began 60 years ago, working with his father’s logging operation at the age of 14 when out of school for summer break in southeastern NC. The business grew from a father-son logging operation to a company that employed 10+ workers. Jimmie managed the business’s trucking side, consisting of three tractor-trailers and one tandem to keep the wood moved to the mills.

In late 1988, Jimmie and his father decided to sell the logging business so his dad could retire, and Jimmie could move on to trucking full-time. Mid-1990, Jimmie had an opportunity to take a job working with the North Carolina Forestry Association's Self-Insured Fund as a loss-control engineer for logging and sawmill risk. The NCFA-SIF later transitioned to Forestry Mutual Insurance Company.

Jimmie’s experience working for and then managing his father’s logging and trucking operations gave him an experience-driven understanding of logging and the problems loggers face daily. FMIC management asked him to develop a chainsaw safety program. Later, he transitioned to working as an insurance agent specializing in insurance for logging operations for FMIC.

In 2001, he headed up efforts to form TEAM Fire, a group that had a significant influence on educating the forest industry about logging equipment fire prevention. In 2015, Jimmie was instrumental in organizing TEAM Safe Trucking (TST). Since the development of TST, Jimmie has given presentations for the American Loggers Council, The Forest Resources Association, and several forest product associations across the US, promoting safety and best management practices for logging and trucking operations. Jimmie retired from FMIC at the end of December 2019.

In May of 2020, Jimmie began working with Forest Insurance Center Agency, Inc. office in Michigan as a Risk Control Manager. His top priority was developing safety and compliance information for the wood products transportation segment of the forest industry. The recent completion of the Forest Products Transportation Truck Owner – Truck Driver Compliance & Safety booklet titled “The Road to Successful Trucking” continues to emphasize the relationship between compliance and safety as they relate to insurance and legal concerns. Compliance has become a significant consideration for insurance underwriters and significantly impacts an insured’s ability to get a competitive quote for their truck insurance needs.

Jimmie and his wife Ruthann maintain homes in Pembroke, North Carolina, and Frankenmuth, Michigan. They have seven children, ten Grandchildren and three Great-Grandchildren. Jimmie and Ruth love to travel and meet loggers to share Jimmie’s passion for the logging and trucking industries.

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