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He explained the three highest weeks of production in 1995 occurred in the first two months of the year. The same jump in activity has not been seen this year, adding there has been a draw down in mill inventories.

Lumber production in the West declined lO.3Vo in 1995. This year, production is expected to decrease by 3.5Vo, with much of the decline coming at mills in the Inland region. The Coast and California redwood regions should see a l.5Vo decrease in production this year, Hunt said.

Imports will continue to hold a large share of the U.S. lumber market in 1996. WWPA predicts imports will reach a record 17.66 billion bd. ft. this year, up I.8Vo. Canadian lumber will still represent the lion's share of that volume, some 17 billion bd. ft., but a recent trade agreement is expected to limit lumber imports from the north. Instead, non-Canadian lumber will fuel the rise in imports with a record 654 million bd. ft. entering the U.S. Brazil, Chile, Mexico and New Zealand will account for nearly all of the non-Canadian lumber volume.

Mills in the southern U.S. should see production rise 3.4Vo this year, reaching 15.275 billion bd. ft., he said.

From the market side, residential construction will account for 17.94 billion bd. ft. of lumber used this year. The volume of lumber used in repair and remodeling is expected to increase one percent to 14.67 billion bd. ft. In other markets, commercial and industrial construction will use

6.8 million bd. ft., materials handling 4.39 billion bd. ft. and other uses 4.2 billion bd. ft.

Lumber exports should continue to slide, said Hunt, reflecting slower sales in Japan, Mexico and Europe. Exports fell 8Vo in 1995 and are expected to slip another 4Vo tltts year. Log exports rebounded in 1995, but are anticipated to finish lower in 1996.

A 50Vo increase in housing starts in California, the West's biggest state, should aid the region, said WWPA field services director Frank Stewart.

John C. Bender, Boise Cascade Corp., was elected chairman; Jess R. Drake, Simpson Timber Co., first vice chairman; Marc A. Brinkmeyer, Riley Creek Lumber, second vice chairman. Hunt was re-elected association president.

The meeting was held March 1l15 at the La Quinta Resort, La Quinta.

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Nyla & Larry Butler. (3) Gregg & Julie Riley, Andrew Goodman. (4) Mike & Jan Durga, Virginia & Gene Walters. (5) Dick Barnes. (6) George Baitinger, Mike Ptiitlips. 1z; Harry'siockma-n. (8) Crirt Wood, Ted Fullmer. (9) Ghris Close, Bob Knoll. (10) John Fuelling, Donn Gunvalson. (11) Kent Goodyear, Wade Mosby. (12) Gary Bennett, John Brandsletter, Terry Johnson. (13) Bob Weiglein, Ramon Echenigue-Manrigue.' (14) Larry Jacobson, Mike Mackin. (15) Doug Benih, Dennis Conlon. (16) nanOi tnnson] Bill Walker, Bill Healy. (17)Fred Mbtler, Scott Cardwell. (18) Bill Swaney, Scott Daley. (19) Claude Scott, Steve Fonester, Doug Clark.