ARKANSAS a OKLAHOMA

Forest Service has joined with a group of trade associations, the Cooperative Extension Service, Southern Group of State Foresters and southern industries in developing an action plan.

A team of private industry and government representatives has already met to develop the plan. 'l'heir task was to "examine the problems and possible opportunities involved in the processing of southern pine lumber from the woods to the market."

A list of problems confronting the industry and actions to address them was reviewed. In the process, 5l problems were prioritized. regrouped and reduced to ll. Actions were refined from 102 to 2l major items.

The action plan has been printed and distributed to industry associations and other members of the wood utilization community including state forestry agencies. cooperative extension services and universities requesting commen6.

The most common interest areas and proposed actions are:

Woods Operetion: Address the predicted shortfall in forest resources by the year 2000 and the effect that the use of smaller trees will have on product quality. Juvenile wood and compression wood, which reduce quality, are found mostly in this type of raw material.

This is what can happen to CCA lumber not protected against the weather...lt won t rot, but it can

WARP. SPL|Tand CUP

It can even twist out of shape so much that it pulls nails up. Surely you've seen itonce perfect wood that has lost every bit of its beauty to the destructive effects of the weather.

Primary Proccssing: Pressures to increase production cause reduced quality because of increased and more severe drying schedules. Southern pine lumber manfacturers must develop and maintain a meaningful quality control program.

Secondery Procrssing: An oversight agency is needed for treated lumber standards. but there is no consensus regarding which agency should provide this oversight. There is a need for uniform product standards in the treated products industry.

Merketing: A consolidated industry approach is needed to address marketing problems. Producers, consumers. trade organizations and grademarking agencies must work together to design products and rules that meet the needs of consumers.

Any Mid-America Lumbermens Association member wishing to receive a copy of the full plan for review and comment can contact the MLA office at (816) 931-2102.