Softwood Tariff Talks Break Down

U.S. and Canadian representatives suddenly called off trade negotiations in late February after reaching an impasse over punitive U.S. duties imposed on softwood imports from Canada.

Trade Minister Pierre Pettigrew said he was "very disappointed" about the break in the talks because it came after "great progress" between the two countries on proposals to reshape Canadian provincial forestry regimes. "We are realizing the gap is too large on an export tax and we cannot agree on what to do on the $1 billion that has already been collected," he said.

The latest discussions have focused on convincing Canadian provinces to lessen timber availability by withdrawing land into parks or reserves. Some provinces would increase wood prices by holding market-based auctions of standins timber.

For its part, the U.S. would curtail 27Vo imporl duties for lumber coming from participating provinces.

Sticking points include the fate of the $650 million in punitive damages collected so far and the size of an interim tariff to be assessed until a final deal is reached. Canada agreed to a temporary l57o import tax; the U.S. wants 257o.

Analysts say Quebec may also be holding up negotiations. While the other provinces seem anxious to strike a deal, Quebec allegedly refuses to change its logging fee and timber pricing system.

Depot's New Helpful Slogan

Home Depot has introduced a new $360 million marketing campaign that will emphasis the home improvement chain's efforts to teach customers how to build things.

As part of the campaign, Depot has released its new company slogan, "You can do it. We can help."

The slogan touts the many how-to clinics that Depot holds at stores across the country.

"We wanted to build on the strength of relationships we have with customers," said Home Depot spokesman John Costello.

Weyco To Close Wa. Sawmill

Weyerhaeuser plans to close its 86year-old Snoqualmie Wa., mill, at the end of May, but according to city officials, the company must rectify a few issues before it leaves town.

The city of Snoqualmie is appealing a county decision not to mandate that Weyerhaeuser remove a dirt berm and fill from wetlands in the Snoqualmie River's flood plain.

City officials say that the berm has resulted in flooding problems for Snoqualmie.

The city wants Weyerhaeuser to remove about a million cubic yards of dirt from the berm and a former log sorting yard at the company's 139acre mill site.

The core of the dispute revolves around the timingof when Weyerhaeuser filled in the wetlands and created the log yard. The company claims that the work was done before 1916, a time preceding county restrictions on alterations to flood plains-the city disputes the claim.

Yet for now King County officials are satisfied that Weyerhaeuser is not responsible for removing the fill.

"There's no legal requirement on the company to dig up the sorting yard," said Weyerhaeuser spokesperson Jed Farmer.

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