NNONTANA NtrWS

By R. V. PETERSEN executive secretary

I\IEW forest management Policies r \ and goals, develoPed bY the U.S. Forest Service primarily because of environmentalist pressures, call for broader multimanagement efforts and less clqar-cutting. Additionally, setasides of commercial timberland are diminishing the potential of timber available for sale and cutting. The Forest Service has indicated it will reduce Montana timber sales about 22Vo through 1975.

A study on the impact of the timber cut has been prepared for the State Department of Planning and Economic Development by the UM Bureau of Business and Economic Development. This report suggests a loss of 790 to 1580 jobs in Montana is the possible result of reduction in timber sales. Three possible developments are mentioned; maintenance of cutting at present levels, reduction in cutting' or a possible moratorium on clearcutting.

By continuing to cut at present levels, the report indicates, the industry would probably face a condition of mergers, close-downs, or both, of existing businesses. This would anticipate increased stumpage prices, changes in hauling patterns, and closure of some mills because of the 22/o reduction in timber availability.

A moratorium on clearcutting would be expected to result in a 30Vo drop in producti.on.

Maxine Johnson, in this report, suggests that there is likelihood that industry adjustments and the resulting job losses may be permanent. It is noted that perhaps 250 to 500 wood products personnel might lose their

Dubs Ltd. Silver Anniversory

That lumbemen's golfing grcup, Dubs, Ltd., has begun their 25th year in existence, can boast l0l members presently, and has embarked on a membership drive to build the club further.

Meeting every month at a different golf course in the Greater San Francisco Bay Area, members play golf, have drinkg dinner, win prizes, enjoy

2. Any time during the past two weeks, have you caught yourself rushing a job just because it is close to quitting time or the lunch period and you want to be finished with what you are doing ?

3. Do you know where first aid facilities are located ?

4. Have you performed any operation on your job at any time during the past month without the prescribed protective clothing or equipment?

5. Do you have a good work attitude?

YOUR ANSWERS SHOULD I{AVE BEEN:

1. YES 3. YES 5 YES

2. NO 4. NO jobs, but these losses would entail an additional 540 to 1080 jobs in related categories. Mrs. Johnson points out that the wood products industry has largely been responsible for the growth of jobs and economy in western Montana. Where other industries, in the period from 1950 to 1970, sustained drastic losses, while other manufacturing gained 2l/o and federal government employment gained 43/o, wood products manufacturing gained 6Uo. fellowship and even, some say,

If you missed any, there is room for improvement. Nothing less than perfect is required for a really safe job oerformance.

The report points out that i.f a ban on clearcutting were to be imposed, the Forest Service estimates a temporary reduction of about 250 million board feet in harvesting timber-about 20-35%. Collaterally, 4000 pers'ons would be unemployed, and the income loss could amount to $36.7 million. This would be a drastic loss for Montana where the overall eontribution of the forest industries to the state economy-in 1969, for examPle, represented about t|Vo of the total employment and llVo of total income. In that year, in aggregate, about 33,400 jobs rvorth about $240.7 million in Montana were in some measure dependent upon the wood Products industry.

Guests are always welcome, If you want information on Dubs Ltd., contact Hugh Rosaaen at Cal Sugar & Western Pine, P.O. Box 8I2, San Mateo. Calif. 9tl40l.