WWPA annual meeting

I T WAS A good news, bad news

I scenario at the annual spring meeting of the Western Wood Products Association. The good news was an improving market, the bad news growing anxiety over the supply ofboth logs and products.

Markedly larger than last year with some 800 people registered, this year's crowd universally thought 1992 will be a better year than last, though any recovery would be gradual. Higher prices and more species substitutions were common themes. As the industry moves into the '90s. some felt "the business will never be the same."

Kickoff speaker Dr. Alston Chase, author of "Playing God in Yellowstone." told 300 at the1 a.m. March 18 breakfast that if industry relies only on economic and property rights considerations, "you may win the battles, but you will lose the war. Lock-up does not work . . . itisnotecologicallyoriented, but only single species oriented."

Chase counseled, "You can recapture the moral high ground by convincing people that you are more environmental than anyone."

WWPA president Robert H. Hunt told a subsequent meeting that demand for lumberproducts in the United States should increase in 1992. but western lumber millsbeset by further with- drawals of harvestable timber from federal forestlandswill be hard pressed to take full advantage of improving markets. He said that while lumber demand will increase by 6.I% in 1992, shipSnents from western mills will declineby ZVo.

LUMBERMEN (1) Joe Wheeler, Bernie Bernstein, John Stephens. (2) Eugene Knokey, Walt Wirfs, GeneWalters. (3) Howard Hofmann, Jim Munay, John Schick, Don Smith. (4) Mitch Boone, Art Andrews. (5) BillCunie, Bobby Hill, Ralph Cardwell. (6) Linda Shelk, John Hampton. (7) George T. Smith, Mike Madrigga. (8) Greg Hanes, George Baitinger, Johnny Ainsworth. (9) Dick Krase, Bo Maxey, Gregg Riley. (10) Fred Seely, Bob Keener. (1.|) Mike Johnson, Randy Collins, Alan Gray. (12) Maryalice&TimCornwell. (13) JohnCrane, Bruce Daucsavage. (14) HerbTulchin, Ross D. Commerford.

"The spotted owl set-asides, plus a continuing scourge of other legal actions, have knocked the potential public harvest in Washington and Oregon from 5 billion board feet in 1988 to less than 1 billion board feet last year," Hunt said. "In spite of improving markets, westem mills are going to be held hostage, or released from hostage, by the future availability of timber from public lands in the West. The environmental extremists seem to have forgotten about people and the shelter needs of our country." Hunt said 1992's expected increase in demand demonstrated by February housing starts will put upward pressure on lumber prices. Lumber dem and in 1992 is expected to total 45.5 billion board feet, compared to 42.9 billion bd. ft. in 1991. Lumber used in residential construction is expected to increase l4Vo to 15.6 billion bd. ft. WWPA estimates hous-

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Story at a Glance

Attendance up. improving markets, rising prices, but serious concern regarding supply .. .'g2lumberdemand expected to increase 2.6 billion board feet. fall meeting: Coeur d'Alene, ld.

Gary Adamson, Dan Dutton, Scott Schroeder. (2) Bob Petow, Bob Hunt. (3) John Hollstein, JayOrendortf, RandySchaal, Brad Fee. (4) Mike Huycke, Ron Breedlove, Mike Phillips. (5) Ken Capps, Don Wolter. (6) Gary Bennett, Kurt Williams. (7 ) John Branstettet, Tom Vogel. (8) Bunle Elmore, Vic Biolo. (9) Bob Handegard, Chris Grover. (10) Don Bertamini, Chris Petersen, Rich Vlosky. (11) Greg Mailin, Don Veidt. (1 2) Denny & Darcy Huston, Cyndee Johnson, ChrisWadsworth. (13) SteveSchmitt, Mark Berger. (14) Dick Flugel, Robert Shepherd. (15) John Ferguson, Leland Curtiss, Tom Dittrick. (16) Pat Webster, Mary McMurphy, Leland Curtiss. (17) Joe Kochis, Mike Young, Mike Mackin. (18) Russ Hanna, Dave MacElroy. (19) Doug Honholt, R. Dale Lausch. (20) Joanie Hill, Christine Adamson. (21) Ron Kent, Paul Eddison.