The Logger's Voice Fall 2023 edtion

PLC Northeast

Also in this issue...

A new era begins for the PLC

President’s Report

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Page 14

New Members

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Director’s Report

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Log A Load Golf Tourneys

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Board of Directors Will Cole, President Chuck Ames, 1st Vice President

Cover: The new logo of the Professional Logging Contractors (PLC) of the Northeast. Story on the expansion of the PLC, page 14.

Duane Jordan, 2nd Vice President Kurt Babineau, Secretary Andy Irish, Treasurer Tony Madden, Past President Aaron Adams Jack Bell

A quarterly publication of:

Brent Day

The Professional Logging Contractors of the Northeast

Thomas Douglass Marc Greaney Steve Hanington Randy Kimball Sam Lincoln

108 Sewall St., P.O. Box 1036 Augusta, ME 04332 Phone: 207.688.8195 www.plcloggers.org

Robert Linkletter Molly London Justin Merrill Jim Nicols Marty Pelletier Ron Ridley

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PLC Northeast Expansion

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Log A Load Golf Tournaments

Gabe Russo Wayne Tripp Gary Voisine

PLC Staff Executive Director Dana Doran ▪ dana@plcloggers.org Membership Services Manager Jessica Clark ▪ jessica@plcloggers.org Safety and Training Coordinator Donald Burr ▪ safety@plcloggers.org Office Coordinator Vanessa Tillson ▪ office@plcloggers.org

The Logger’s Voice Editor and Designer Jon Humphrey Communications and Photography ▪ jehumphreycommunications@gmail.com Advertising Jessica Clark ▪ jessica@plcloggers.org © 2023 Professional Logging Contractors of the Northeast (PLC) All material (“content”) is protected by copyright under U.S. Copyright laws and is the property of the PLC or the party credited as the provider of the content.

For more information call (207) - 688 - 8195

Also Inside 4 5 6 7 8 26 30 33 34 40 42 45 46 48

Calendar Updates President’s Report New Members Executive Director’s report Thank you Andy Irish Trucking Acadia Dividend Safety Mechanized Logging Operations and Forest Trucking Program Maine Forest Service Master Logger® ALC updates Congressional updates

Event

Calendar

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Professional Logging Contractors of the Northeast

Loggers Serving Loggers Since 1995

Updates

Do you have news to share?

The PLC is always seeking news from our Members that showcases our industry’s professionalism, generosity, and ingenuity.

Send ideas to communications@plcloggers.org

The Logger’s Voice ▪ Fall 2023

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From the President

By Will Cole Hello everyone.

For the past three and a half decades, Don and I have hosted at least one school tour per year. We start with a Paul Bunyan breakfast and while the kids eat, we float around to different tables getting to know our audience. When we arrive at the woodlot, we set some ground rules for safety, then ask, "Is cutting trees bad?". Without exception the majority say yes. When asked why, the responses vary from it kills trees, takes animal’s homes, it's messy, and a new one is - they produce oxygen.

Donald Burr made a statement this spring at one of the safety meetings that really resonated with me: ''There is no such thing as common sense." That, of course, is the number one complaint about young people entering the workforce today. Therefore, most of us just finished Donald's statement with, "any more.” But then he explained that common sense comes from experience. That's when the lights went on for me. And it also explained why a three-year-old can do more with my phone than I can. Their common sense (experience) is with computers and mine is with cutting wood.

When we finish up our tour my mother makes homemade donuts and chocolate milk. As we assemble, we ask the kids the same question, "Is cutting trees bad?". Also without exception the answer has been reversed to a resounding "No".

All too often even the educators have the same perspective which is what really scares me. Children are being taught by people with no common sense. Most of us know someone who is brilliant, but they couldn't change a tire on a bicycle.

In days of old, an engineer was someone who was trying to find a better way to do his job. His experience made the difference. It seems to me that our culture is teaching people what to think instead of how to think. Today children have all their common sense (experience) in front of a screen. They are literally being raised by Hollywood. Their world isn't reality, which explains why we are debating such ridiculous ideologies today. You can be a man, woman, or a billy goat, if that's what you think you are.

So that you don't think this article is all negative, I'd like to share a story about one of our tours that stands out.

Several years back we were contacted by a young woman who was teaching a third-grade class and asked if we would host a tour. The answer, of course, was yes. We had just moved to a site the day before she was to arrive. This woodlot had a large ravine to be crossed which required a 40-foot metal bridge we borrowed from the state. Don and I got it placed by dark that night. It also had a large pine tree with a dead top hanging over the owner's camp with a hawk's nest in it.

The next morning, we took the kids to breakfast and Don and I worked the tables. One table I visited had three boys. I asked, "What do you want to be when you grow up?" One was going to be a football player, one a movie star, but the third boy said an engineer. I told him we had done some engineering last night and today I would show him. When we got to the bridge, all the kids got a ride over it in the forwarder. After that I sought out that young man and asked him what he thought. "Pretty cool," he said to which I responded, "We just put it in last night." He cocked his head sideways and said, "You mean to tell me you let us go across without testing it first!" (third grader?!!) I'm convinced that boy is an engineer today or at least I hope so.

The second part of our tour was the hazard tree with a hawk's nest hanging over the camp. What do we do? The landowner is in danger, but it's a bird's home. The boys said, "Cut her down". The girls, however, weren't so sure. So we started a dialogue on how to resolve both issues. Teach the kids how to think, instead of what to think.

The answer was the bird didn't return to the same nest year after year and nesting season was long over. The kids understood that it doesn't have to be either or and showed them that with a little planning we can have both. That lesson, I believe, will resonate much longer than just telling them what to think.

Oh, yeah, I almost forgot to tell you the best part. The young lady who taught the class was once one of the third graders many years ago on one of our earliest tours.

Common sense comes from experience, and we have found getting people out in the woods is the best way to keep people thinking. On that note, MLOFT has exposed twelve more students to real world common sense with training in all aspects of the industry from stump to roadside. And new this year is a CDL license. This will be the seventh year for MLOFT training, bringing the total graduates to eighty. Donald Burr is doing an excellent job passing his real life experience on to the next generation.

A teacher with common sense. What a concept.

See you in the woods, Will

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Professional Logging Contractors of the Northeast

Loggers Serving Loggers Since 1995

Welcome New Members New Contractor Members

(802)-793-1206 or lincolnfarmtimber@gmail.com.

A&A Brochu Logging of Dover Foxcroft, ME joined the Long View Forest Inc. of Hartland, VT joined the PLC as PLC as a new Contractor Member in August of 2023. The a new Contractor Member in August of 2023. The company company is Master Logger® certified and has a professional has a professional staff of 35. To learn more contact Jack Bell at staff of 65. To learn more contact Toby Pineo at (207)-491 (802)-428-4050 or jbell@longviewforest.com.

-0691 or tpineo@pleasantriverlumber.co m.

Southwind Forestry of Pawlet, VT joined the PLC as a new Contractor Member in August of Lincoln Farm Timber 2023. The company is Master Harvesting of Randolph Ctr, Logger® certified and has a VT joined the PLC as a new Contractor Member in August of professional staff of 2. To learn more contact Gabe Russo at 2023. The company is Master (802)-366-0538 or Logger® certified and has a professional staff of 2. To learn gaberusso@yahoo.com. more contact Sam Lincoln at

Not a member but interested in joining the PLC? Contact Jessica at (207) 688-8195 or email jessica@plcloggers.org The Logger’s Voice ▪ Fall 2023

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Common Ground

By Dana Doran From the

On October 3 rd , an idea became reality as the PLC officially announced its expansion and name change to a much larger audience. As reported in the summer edition of this magazine, the membership officially approved the idea at its Annual Meeting back in May, but as of October 3 rd , the change is now official, signifying the end of one era, but the beginning of another. However, this change did not just happen overnight and has actually been in the works for more than seven years.

In early 2016, while I was driving to Aroostook County for a meeting at the RE Energy

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facility in Ashland, I got a phone call from a contractor from Vermont who called me to voice his concerns regarding some comments I had made in a news story in the Bangor Daily News on biomass. If you recall, the PLC was embroiled in a debate at the state legislature regarding the future of biomass energy. We had recently called out our elected officials for collectively putting their heads in the sand after the announced closure of mills in Bucksport, Lincoln, Old Town and a reduction in size at Jay, between 2012 and late 2015.

In my comments, I said it was about time for

Professional Logging Contractors of the Northeast

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Irish Family Logging constructing water bars in Roxbury, ME. our elected officials to do something specifically to help Maine and not worry about the bigger region. It was this comment that got a Vermont contractor’s attention and in his opinion, he thought that we should look at the bigger geographic impact and not just in Maine. I said that’s fine, but from our organization’s perspective, I only worked on behalf of Maine contractors and I wasn’t concerned about contractors from outside the state. Asked what he could do to join the conversation, I told him to create his own organization. While it seemed a bit selfish and direct, we were in a collective fight for our lives

back then as markets were crumbling everywhere.

Fast forward to 2023 and I guess we’ve come full circle on that conversation in 2016. The cut worm forgives the plow I guess.

The Vermont contractor who called me on that fateful day in 2016 was Sam Lincoln, Lincoln Farm Timber Harvesting, Randolph, VT. Little did I know that the one conversation I had in 2016, would inevitably lead to where we are today. Sam is now a board member of the PLC and a great friend. I can only say that the common ground we found seven years ago, helped lead us to this monumental day.

Doran

The Logger’s Voice ▪ Fall 2023

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Doran Continued from Page 96 For the last 28 years, the PLC, which was founded by Maine loggers and run by Maine loggers, has existed to support the backbone of the forest products economy here in Maine. Contractors started this organization to provide a singular voice for loggers and truckers in the state as a result of a sentiment that they were being marginalized within the structure of a one size fits all organization and because the American Forest and Paper Association was going to mandate training as a condition of work.

Harold Bouchard, Gerald Pelletier, Bill Gardner and quite a few other brave contractors said it was time to chart our own path with our own representation. While this sentiment was not singular to Maine, those contractors felt that they needed representation locally, thus the PLC was born. However, as true as it was in 1995 when the PLC of Maine was created, the same issues were also impacting all contractors in the Northeast, regardless of geographic boundary.

Which brings us to today, not bringing about a mission change in any way, but to signify that regardless of geographic boundary, logging and contractors in the Northeast have more in common together than they do apart. The last few years in this industry have demonstrated the commonality of issues and the value in a singular bond.

As I mentioned previously, 2016 was a monumental year for the organization as we fought a fierce battle at the Maine legislature regarding biomass.

Contractors had experienced the closure of six pulp and paper mills in less than five years, natural gas pricing had bottomed out and a sixth facility was teetering on the edge (Madison Paper).

With pulp markets running at an all-time low, biomass was the one low value market we could influence to stay running which could help bridge the gap for a brighter future. That said, not only did this confluence of misery have an impact on Maine, it had an equal and perhaps larger impact upon the contractors to the west. And while we managed to put a stop gap measure in place in 2016, the band-aid was torn off following the digester explosion in Jay in

2020.

There’s a saying that misery seeks company and I guess the low-grade markets in the Northeast have proven that to be true. Regardless of origination or location, contractors in the Northeast are all impacted in equal ways as a result of the book ended markets that they work within between Maine and New York. In the Adirondacks, there are two major pulp markets and in Maine, there are three, sometimes four major pulp markets. Sprinkled in between are biomass markets that all have an impact upon the other. The trials and tribulations that all of these markets have experienced at various stages over the last ten years has proven one thing to be true, that contractors experience many of the same issues and need many of the same solutions.

As a result, the need for the PLC of the Northeast has probably never been more true.

Our numbers and our strength from this moment forward will ultimately be inextricably connected with our friends from other states and in the end, we will be better for it.

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Weather

As we all know, the summer of 2023 has been the summer that never happened.

In 2022, it didn’t rain at all and despite only small increases in wood prices, the going was about as good as it’s ever been; 2023 has been the polar opposite as not only has the weather wreaked havoc, pricing is back down as a result of too much pulp on the market, the closure of Old Town and the complete closure of Jay. This past July, flooding rains arrived and seemed to never dissipate.

Vermont was hammered just a week after July 4 th and many contractors there didn’t get back into the woods until late August or even early September. This was also the case for many in Maine too.

Winter conditions seem to be similar too as warming trends have hit the entire Northeast and the freeze thaw line appears to be migrating northward at a rapid pace. Lack of frozen ground and suboptimal operating conditions is wreaking havoc upon all contractors in the region and they are downsizing and/ or changing equipment mixes at a furious pace, in an attempt to keep going without confidence that the markets will be there to sustain them. Weather and

Professional Logging Contractors of the Northeast

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markets have created the ultimate double whammy.

Which brings me to further evidence of why one organization is so important to the contractors of this region and why one experience can be so vital to the other.

Following the floods in VT, there was a furious attempt by contractors to push state government there to help those who suffered as a result of the flood.

Farmers, homeowners, even theater and art gallery owners, were helped with millions of dollars of aid to help bail them out. Despite the feverish pace and effort to help those impacted, guess who was left on the outside looking in?

Despite logging being considered agriculture both at a federal and state level, there was no thought and no deference given to logging contractors for the losses they endured. A survey of Vermont logging contractors estimated on the low end that about $5 million in operational revenue was lost in the month of July alone, but even despite the evidence, it appeared that there was no flexibility or opportunity to provide aid to loggers. Time and time again, politicians and bureaucrats put their fingers in their ears and covered their eyes.

The experience in Vermont is strikingly similar to what has happened in Maine following so many events, natural or man-made over the last decade. Contractors must be organized, and they must play the long game instead of speaking up only when they need something. It goes to show that if you’re not at the table, you’re on the menu.

that’s a story for another day.

That said, it doesn’t appear we are going to turn the ship 180 degrees and stop talking about it. As a result, the commonalities between Maine and Vermont on this topic are striking. However, the extremes as usual are dominating the airwaves and yet again, the middle has been lost.

In Vermont, a group called Standing Trees has chosen to up the ante and declare that forest management and cutting trees is bad for the environment and the climate. Their argument is that more carbon can be stored in older trees than new growth, therefore, all harvesting should stop. If landowners simply stop harvesting and enroll in carbon markets for revenue generation, those forests will sequester carbon faster and forests will remain forests. As we know, this argument is significantly flawed and ultimately will produce more negative results in the long run, but it will not stop them from pushing this agenda despite how many forest products they use in their daily lives.

Standing Trees even sued the state of Vermont earlier this year, arguing that the process to harvest public lands was flawed and wanted all harvesting on public lands halted until a new process was initiated. This is code for, “stop all harvesting forever”.

Despite their attempt, they ultimately lost, but it will not deter them from instigating similar efforts in the future and it’s likely that groups like Standing Trees will pop up in Maine to push their agenda here as well.

In Maine, the Conservation Law Foundation, Natural Resources Council of Maine and Sierra Club Climate led an effort in July and August to force the state Department of Environmental Protection to adopt rules Inextricably tied to weather are the daily that would make the utilization of electric trucks discussions, media stories and endless streams of mandatory by 2035 with the adaptation of the consciousness around carbon and climate change.

California Clean Trucks Rule. The PLC pushed back Who knew how much talk about carbon would ensue against this proposal, testifying in loud opposition, as following the elections of 2018 and 2020. I’m not sure the endorsement of this rule would lead to the demise why it takes an election to talk about these things, but Doran Continued on Page 126

The Logger’s Voice ▪ Fall 2023

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Doran

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of every trucking contractor in the state, as an almost Tier IV engine regulation times ten. We believe that DEP will ultimately reject this requirement in the end, but it’s not 100% clear at this point in time.

Vermont voted to adopt this set of rules in December of 2022. Time will tell what the experience will be like there and how exactly Vermont is going to require the use of Class 8 electric trucks that likely will never be manufactured, but Vermont’s decision and experience will be vital to helping Maine determine what to do and what to advocate for or against as a result.

investment (ROI). If they can’t make that ROI by managing the property for forest products, they are going to monetize their investment in other ways, such as maple sugar, or house lots or even carbon if the value in is greater than harvesting wood.

Here in Maine, we’ve seen Baskahegan, the Nature Conservancy and now Weyerhaeuser, put their property in carbon markets. It appears they are testing the waters at a smaller scale to see what the value proposition looks like in the long run. In Vermont, this same type of carbon mining is happening as landowners determine their long-term outlet. The experience in both states is going to be important to help contractors in both states determine Carbon where they go with their own investments.

Comparing notes, experiences and sharing The last elephant in the room which has information will be critical as we navigate our way immense similarities in Maine as it does in Vermont, through this new minefield. is carbon. The carbon markets are in their infancy, As much as we believe that we are beholden to but we are now seeing proof positive of what the geography, our experience and existence is as much negative consequences are when forests are locked local as it is regional, national or even global. The down in carbon markets and harvesting is limited PLC of Maine will never be forgotten, but as all going forward. The experience that has occurred in things go, you must adapt and even change to Northern New Hampshire with Blue Source is telling. overcome the winds of change. The PLC of the The circumstances that lead to forest owners Northeast is the future and the region will likely have even considering putting their properties in carbon more sway in the end rather than just on an individual markets and slowing down harvesting are because of state perspective. lack of markets, proximity to market and/or proximity As we have always said at the PLC, there is to development. strength in numbers. Our numbers and our strength As much as we think it’s the far left that is from this moment forward will ultimately be pushing this agenda, the decisions to enroll forest in inextricably connected with our friends from other carbon markets are not altruistic and in many cases states and in the end, we will be better for it. are financial. Landowners, especially large Please stay safe, be well and stay in touch. landowners, own land to make a return on their

Interested in joining the PLC of the Northeast? Call (207) 688-8195 or email jessica@plcloggers.org 12

Professional Logging Contractors of the Northeast

Loggers Serving Loggers Since 1995

The Logger’s Voice ▪ Summer 2023

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Professional loggers gather in Barre, Vermont in Dec. 2022 to learn about the PLC. The Professional Logging Contractors (PLC) of Maine has entered a new era, as the 28year-old trade association officially expands beyond Maine and becomes the Professional Logging Contractors of the Northeast.

The expansion was announced on Oct. 3, and begins with contractors from the state of Vermont becoming eligible to join the organization, marking the biggest step for the association since it was founded by loggers and for loggers in Maine in 1995.

“The PLC has been the voice of Maine loggers and forest truckers in a rapidly changing industry for nearly three decades, and in that time, it has become clear that we

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are strongest when we stand together.” PLC Executive Director Dana Doran, said. “Loggers and truckers throughout the Northeast share many of the same challenges and opportunities, and we believe that now is the time to grow the organization to meet those challenges and take advantage of those opportunities together.”

The expansion was made possible by the growth of the PLC in recent years combined with interest from professional loggers in Vermont who had no trade association to represent them. Additional expansion is now on the table should loggers in other Northeast states be interested, Dana said.

PLC Members reviewed and unanimously

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A new era begins for the PLC

Vermont logger Sam Lincoln speaks at the PLC Annual Meeting in May, 2023. Sam is one of three new PLC Board Members representing Vermont. approved changes to the organization’s bylaws pertaining the PLC and share in the many benefits of membership, to the expansion at the association’s Annual Meeting on including representation and advocacy by the organization on their behalf at the state and national level, access to a May 5. safety dividend program, discounts from PLC Supporting “The PLC is now ready, willing, and able to expand to other Northeast states if sufficient demand from Members, membership in the American Loggers Council loggers in those states exists,” Dana said. “Vermont loggers (ALC), access to The Loggers Voice quarterly magazine, and free safety training and other professional development deserve credit for taking the lead on this, and the PLC stands ready to respond should loggers in other states seek opportunities. the same representation and benefits a regional logging Meanwhile, the PLC is gearing up operations in Vermont and preparing to add staff there to ensure its trade association can afford them.”

Three new board members have been added to the support and services in the new territory are equivalent to what members in Maine have come to expect.

PLC’s board of directors to represent Vermont: Sam Lincoln, owner of Lincoln Farm Timber Harvesting of The three new Vermont board members agree the Randolph Center; Jack Bell, co-founder of Long View time for a regional organization to represent logging and Forest of Westminster and Hartland; and Gabe Russo, forest trucking interests in their state has come. While Vermont does have organizations that logging contractors owner of Southwind Forestry of Pawlet. can join, they are umbrella organizations for forest-related As a result of the expansion, logging and forest trucking contractors in Vermont will now be eligible to join businesses rather than logger-specific.

PLC Northeast

The Logger’s Voice ▪ Fall 2023

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PLC Northeast

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“The PLC’s, ‘by loggers, for loggers,’ standard says it all,” Jack said. “It's a logging business trade organization, and the total focus on the issues and challenges loggers face is unique.”

The expansion to Vermont has been in the works for more than two years, following interest from Vermont loggers who learned of the PLC through fellow loggers from Maine, training programs the PLC was involved with, exposure the organization gained through logging expos, and publicity surrounding its successes.

Gabe, a Master Logger®, recalls talk of starting a trade association for Vermont loggers had been growing in recent years, and a meeting held at his home to discuss the idea established that interest was strong. Sam Lincoln, also a Master Logger® and former Deputy Commissioner of the Vermont Department of Forests, Parks, & Recreation, had known PLC Exec. Director Dana Doran for several years through their shared efforts in regional logging initiatives as well as involvement in the Northeast Master Logger® Certification Program, which certifies loggers across the Northeast, including many Maine PLC Members. Dana was invited to present information on the PLC in Vermont, and many Vermont loggers attended that presentation. Asked if there would be interest in exploring the idea of joining a regional association, they responded strongly in favor of the idea.

That consensus led to a meeting in December 2022 in Barre, Vermont attended by fifty Vermont contractors.

The discussion centered around whether to form a new separate logging organization for Vermont or to pursue the idea of a regional association. PLC Board Member Steve Vermont logger Gabe Russo. Gabe is one of three new Hanington of Hanington Bros. Inc. in Macwahoc PLC Board Members representing Vermont.

Plantation Maine was asked to speak there about his experiences as a founding member of PLC back in the mid was pretty clear.

-1990s when the organization was just getting started, “I think every single person raised their hand at the including recounting the struggles in the early years to end of that meeting as far as whether there was interest to fund the new organization and the years it took to reach the move forward,” Jack said, adding that more than a dozen size and membership to begin having a measurable impact loggers volunteered to join a steering committee to guide on logging issues. the process and have remained consistently involved in the “What I basically presented to them was the year since. challenges around trade associations when they first start Gabe has participated in past efforts to bring out,” Steve said. “I made it clear two or three times in the logging issues before Vermont’s congressional delegation conversation that I did not want them to think I was there in Washington D.C. as part of the annual ALC giving them a sales pitch to join PLC for the benefit of the Congressional Fly-In, and said the trend nationwide seems PLC. I said you guys need to decide what you want to do, to increasingly be shifting to regional efforts to advocate all I can tell you is what we went through, and you guys for loggers. have got to be prepared for that if you choose to do it on “When we go to D.C. with the ALC you see other your own, because it takes a lot of time and energy. Or you areas in the country grouped together and represented by can avoid a lot of that and get right to the nuts and bolts of these regional type logging associations, so I think the why you want a trade association, which is for the ability writing was on the wall as far as that for the future in my to have an impact.” opinion.”

Sam, Gabe, and Jack said the consensus at the end Sam said Vermont loggers and forest truckers face of the meeting that a regional approach was the way to go

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Vermont logger Jack Bell, center, during a PLC board visit with students in the Mechanized Logging Operations and Forest Trucking Program in September, 2023. Jack is one of three new PLC Board Members representing Vermont. the same challenges with markets, workforce, and business think the opportunity to join an organization that is already regulations that loggers in Maine up and running and has a tremendous and across the Northeast share. track record of accomplishments and Vermont loggers also face professional staff was a no brainer significant anti-forest management for me.” sentiment. He looks forward to the In addition to its strong track PLC being able to advocate on record on advocacy, training, and behalf of loggers in the state. promotion of logging as a profession, “I think there is a the PLC’s charitable efforts on tremendous amount of behalf of Log A Load for Kids misinformation, to me it almost feels PLC’s efforts have raised more than like an intentional misinformation $2.135 million since 1995 - drew a campaign against what we do, and I positive response from Vermont think it mischaracterizes our work loggers considering joining the and mischaracterizes us as people organization. and the outcomes of our work,” Sam “I'm very enthusiastic to be a said. “We need to be clawing back part of that here, and it's going to be and going on the offensive, taking pretty exciting as well to be out there back our place in society as taking the initiative to promote responsible producers of essential ourselves as important to Vermont’s human needs and contributors to the rural community. I economy and as protectors of the environment,” Sam said.

PLC Northeast

The Logger’s Voice ▪ Fall 2023

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PLC Northeast

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PLC Board Member Steve Hanington of Maine speaks to Vermont Loggers in Barre Vermont in December 2022.

On the evening of Oct. 18, the new organization “There is no way you can be an advocate and will hold its first official event at the Canadian Club in please everybody, and if you’re in an industry there’s Barre, Vermont, inviting any interested loggers and forest going to be segments of that industry that's not going to trucking companies in the state to attend to hear more like to hear what you have to say sometimes no matter how about the benefits of joining the PLC. Current PLC much they may like you personally, but to say something Members are also welcome to attend the meeting and can collectively just generates more acceptance,” Steve said.

RSVP by calling 207-688-8195 or emailing “I’m very happy that the loggers in Vermont chose to go this route, not for the benefit of PLC, but the benefit office@plcloggers.org For his part, Steve said it is gratifying to know that of loggers in the Northeast. I still believe they’ll be able to all the hard work by the many Maine loggers who formed get a lot more accomplished without five or six years of the PLC and grew it through the early years into what it is organizational heartburn, and I commend them for today have led to a moment when the association will grow recognizing that and it will move all loggers forward, beyond Maine into a stronger regional force for the logging there’s no question about that in my mind.” and forest trucking industry.

As part of the PLC’s transition you will notice a few changes: The PLC website address has changed to plcloggers.org and PLC staff email addresses have changed to end with @plcloggers.org, for example executivedirector@maineloggers.com is now dana@plcloggers.org Please know, the prior website address and email addresses will automatically forward to the new addresses if you use them in error to allow this transition to go smoothly.

You will notice other changes including our new logo, and the name change on the sign in front of our office in Augusta.

There will be no loss or changes to the benefits you receive from your membership, in fact we anticipate that this expansion will lead to additional benefits for all members, both in Maine and Vermont.

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Professional Logging Contractors of the Northeast

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The Logger’s Voice ▪ Fall 2023

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PLC 2023 Log A Load for Maine Kids Golf Tournaments!

Record Funds Raised at PLC Log A Load for Maine Kids Southern Maine Golf Tournaments!

Photos: Above, Golfers gather before the start of the PLC ‘s Southern Maine Log A Load for Maine Kids Golf Tournament Aug. 25. At left, a golfer hits a long drive during the PLC ‘s Northern Maine Log A Load for Maine Kids Golf Tournament Sept. 15.

Opposite page, clockwise from top, Brooke was very pleased to receive her cutout signed by so many golfers at the northern tournament, Jacob really enjoyed the southern tournament and sold a lot of lemonade, signatures going on Brooke’s cutout (thanks everyone), a long drive at the northern tournament, rain couldn’t stop the fun at the southern tournament!

more than $2.135 million since 1995. Already in 2023, the The Professional Logging Contractors of the PLC Annual Meeting Log a Load for Maine Kids Auction Northeast (PLC) raised $107,989 at its Log A Load for Maine Kids golf tournaments in 2023 to benefit Children’s raised $127,723. The PLC will continue to raise funds for Miracle Network (CMN) Hospitals in Bangor and Portland. Log A Load through the end of the year through the sale of The PLC hosts two Log A Load golf tournaments logger Christmas ornaments and from additional donations.

“No matter how challenging conditions are in the in Maine each year, with its newer Aug. 25 tournament at logging and forest trucking industry in Maine, PLC the Kezar Lake Country Club in Lovell, Maine raising a Members and Supporting Members and our hospital record $47,377 for the Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital partners always come through to make miracles happen for (BBCH) at Maine Medical Center and the northern Maine kids,” PLC Executive Director Dana Doran said. tournament Sept. 15 at JATO Highlands Golf Course in Lincoln raising $60,612 for Northern Light Eastern Maine “These event totals in 2023 are proof that the generosity of loggers and the industry is as strong today as it was when Health System’s Eastern Maine Medical Center. the PLC’s Log A Load efforts began nearly three decades The PLC’s Log A Load efforts have now raised

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Professional Logging Contractors of the Northeast

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They have the kindest hearts, and it means so much to us.

We are so grateful!”

The PLC partners with both BBCH and Northern Light Health Foundation for its annual Log A Load fund “If we’ve learned anything from the Log A Load drive. BBCH in Portland and Northern Light in Bangor are partnership and the logging community in Maine, it’s that rain or shine they’re going to show up for our kids because both CMN Hospitals. they believe deeply in this cause,” Kate Richardson, CMN “Maine’s logging and trucking industry and its Senior Philanthropy Manager for BBCH, said. “The 5th supporters is nothing short of incredible when it comes to annual Southern Maine golf tournament was our best yet. helping the community and giving back,” Kelly Pearson, That is clearly a reflection of the generosity of this group of Director of the Children’s Miracle Network Hospital people and their belief that local kids deserve the very best program and Corporate Engagement at Northern Light Health, said. “It means so much to us. It can be the toughest health care available. We’re truly grateful.” year for the industry, and they still come out to support the Thank you so much to everyone who made these kids, and that just speaks volumes to who these people are. tournaments a success! Looking forward to next year! ago.”

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Rinaldi Energy serves customers including heavy equipment industries such as construction and logging.

SACO, ME – We had the opportunity to meet some of the leadership team at Rinaldi Energy this summer, and learn more about who they are and why they joined the PLC. Brothers Rocco Rinaldi and Fernando Rinaldi started the successful operation almost a decade ago. What began as delivering oil to their friends and family has now grown into a multi-division company that provides fuel and transportation to their residential, commercial, and wholesale customers across the state of Maine.

The growth happened quickly, thanks to a perfect storm of cold weather, high-level customer

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service, competitive pricing, and fast turnaround time for deliveries. “The simple, but important things,” they said.

The other important thing to them is their employees. “Our team is the heart of this company- the drivers, the techs, the office.” according to Rocco.

“Their hard work and dedication to our customers is part of what made us grow so fast and is what allows us to continue to show up for our customers.”

From the beginning, the goal for the company has been to provide their customers with a better experience, create long-term relationships, and be an active part of the communities they serve.

Professional Logging Contractors of the Northeast

Loggers Serving Loggers Since 1995

Rinaldi Energy

Above, Rinaldi Energy delivering to a residential customer. Below, Rinaldi Energy stepped up as a presenting sponsor at the 2023 PLC Annual Meeting Log A Load For Maine Kids Auction.

Their community focus and involvement in children’s organizations was exactly what brought Rinaldi Energy to become a Supporting Member of the PLC, as the Log A Load for Kids event caught the attention of their leadership team. “We were eager to extend our relationships in the logging industry, but it was really the Log A Load event that made us feel like the PLC was the right fit for us.” VP of Business Development, Tim Heutz said. “We wanted to be a part of that, since being involved in children’s organizations means a lot to us.”

One of their largest community efforts is their annual toy drive which has supported the Barbara Bush

Children’s Hospital and the Center for Grieving Children. “The toy drive has become very popular and a huge success,” says VP of Marketing Amethyst Poirier.

“It’s so great to see our customers and community get involved in this. We’ve collected over 1,300 gifts in the last few years, and we can’t wait to see what we continue to accomplish with this event.”

Rinaldi Energy has stepped up in a big way to support the PLC by being a Preferred Supporting Member, presenting sponsor of the Log A Load Event, and team sponsor of the PLC Golf Tournament. Since Rinaldi Energy serves many logging customers across the state already, joining the

Rinaldi

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Continued Page 24

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Although Rinaldi Energy was founded less than a decade ago, the company is already winning awards and attention for superior service and performance.

Rinaldi

Continued from Page 23

PLC seemed like a great way to better connect with their that piece of their business, so they can focus on all the existing and prospective customers. other components they need to manage.”

They pride themselves on working with their “Everybody at this company cares about what customers to get the best price and plan to meet their they do.” VP of Sales Dimitri Skinsacos continues. “It’s needs, while making fuel delivery as simple as possible hard to find good work ethic these days, and to have an for their customers by offering tank monitoring and entire company full of people who love their job and automatic delivery programs to take the worry out of the work hard for our customers is part of what makes us process. unique.”

“Our philosophy when it comes to commercial Working hard, doing what’s best for your business is that we want to be a partner in the success of customers, and being involved in the community are all your business,” Tim said. “We know fuel is a large values that align with our loggers at the PLC and we expense for loggers, and the ability to manage that look forward to a long standing relationship with the expense really is a big factor in the success of their Rinaldi Energy business. We want to be a partner that helps them with team.

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Professional Logging Contractors of the Northeast

Loggers Serving Loggers Since 1995

Photos: Above, Rinaldi Energy delivers fuel in all seasons.

At left, Rocco R. Rinaldi, Owner & President of Rinaldi Energy.

At right, Fernando Rinaldi, Vice President of Operations.

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PLC’s Andy Irish completes term as ALC President

Andy Irish with his grandsons at the start of the logging tour Oct. 4 that kicked off the 2023 ALC Annual Meeting. From left to right, Devin, Jacob, Adrian, and Jackson. Ethan (absent) was at school.

Andy Irish, a founding member of the Professional Logging Contractors (PLC) of Maine (now the Professional Logging Contractors of the Northeast), completed his term as President of the American Logger’s Council (ALC) Oct. 6 at the ALC’s Annual Meeting, held this year at the Sunday River Resort in Newry, Maine.

Andy, who has been an ALC delegate representing Maine for nearly two decades, last fall became the third Maine President of the ALC since it was founded in 1994.

At the President’s dinner that closed this year’s annual meeting, Andy passed the gavel on to Mike Albrecht of California.

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“I can assure you, you’re in really good hands, Mike will do a really good job, ”Andy said.

Andy has been logging since the 1970s and founded Irish Family Logging in 1984. Today, he shares ownership of the Peru-based business with his wife Kathy, son Jason Irish and son-in-law Dean Knowles. He has been a board member of the PLC since it began in 1995.

The PLC would like to thank Andy for his service this past year as ALC President and for an excellent job playing host to loggers from across the nation who attended the ALC Meeting.

Well done!

Professional Logging Contractors of the Northeast

Loggers Serving Loggers Since 1995

PLC Member Renewal Reminder!

Renewals are due Dec. 1 Renew now!

The Logger’s Voice ▪ Fall 2023

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Check out the equipment and job opportunities our members have listed on the PLC website at the LOGGING ZONE! If you have equipment for sale, are looking to buy, are looking for employees, or are looking for employment - check it out!

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Professional Logging Contractors of the Northeast

Loggers Serving Loggers Since 1995

The Logger’s Voice ▪ Summer 2023

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Trucking Trucking Industry News...

ELD display as a back-up method to review the hours of service data.

Beginning November 13, 2023, motor carriers who continue to use the revoked devices listed above will be considered to be operating without an ELD. Safety FMCSA Removes Two Devices from List of officials who encounter a driver using a revoked device on Registered Electronic Devices… or after November 13, 2023 should cite 395.8(a)(1), and place the driver out-of-service (OOS) in accordance with the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) OOS Thursday, September 14, 2023 Criteria.

FMCSA strongly encourages motor carriers to WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of take the actions listed above now to avoid compliance Transportation Federal Motor Carrier Safety issues in the event that the deficiencies are not addressed Administration (FMCSA) has removed FALCON ELD in time. and KSK ELD from the list of registered Electronic For more information on ELDs, visit FMCSA’s Logging Devices (ELD). FMCSA has placed these ELDs on the Revoked Devices list due to the providers’ failure to ELD implementation website. meet the minimum requirements established in 49 CFR part 395, subpart B, appendix A, effective September 14, FMCSA Removes Four Devices from List of 2023.

Registered ELDs… FMCSA will send an industry email to inform motor carriers that all who use these revoked ELDs must Tuesday, July 25, 2023 take the following steps: *Discontinue using the revoked ELDs and revert WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of to paper logs or logging software to record required hours Transportation Federal Motor Carrier Safety of service data.

Administration (FMCSA) has removed ALL TRUCKERS *Replace the revoked ELDs with compliant ELDs ELD, GOLDEN ELD, PRIMELD, and SECURE ELD from the Registered Devices list before November 13, devices from the list of registered Electronic Logging 2023.

Devices (ELD). FMCSA has placed these ELDs on the Motor carriers have up to 60 days to replace the Revoked Devices list due to the companies’ failure to meet revoked ELDs with compliant ELDs. If the ELD providers the minimum requirements established in 49 CFR part 395, correct all identified deficiencies, FMCSA will place the subpart B, appendix A, effective July 25, 2023.

ELDs back on the list of registered devices and inform the FMCSA will send an industry email to let motor industry and the field. carriers know that all who use these revoked ELDs must During this time, safety officials are encouraged take the following steps: not to cite drivers using the revoked ELDs for 395.8(a)(1) Discontinue using the revoked ELDs and revert to – “No record of duty status” or 395.22(a) – “Failing to use paper logs or logging software to record required hours of a registered ELD.” During this time, safety officials should service data. request the driver’s paper logs, logging software, or use the

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Professional Logging Contractors of the Northeast

Loggers Serving Loggers Since 1995

Trucking Replace the revoked ELDs with compliant ELDs driver out-of-service (OOS) in accordance with the from the Registered Devices list before September 23, Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance OOS Criteria.

2023.

FMCSA strongly encourages motor carriers to take Motor carriers have up to 60 days to replace the the actions listed above now to avoid compliance issues in revoked ELDs with compliant ELDs. If the ELD providers the event that the deficiencies are not addressed in time. correct all identified deficiencies, FMCSA will place the For more information on ELDs, visit FMCSA’s ELDs back on the list of registered devices and inform the ELD implementation website. industry and the field.

During this time, safety officials are encouraged not to cite drivers using these revoked ELDs for 395.8(a) (1) – “No record of duty status” or 395.22(a) – “Failing to use a registered ELD.” During this time, safety officials should request the driver’s paper logs, logging software, or use the ELD display as a back-up method to review the hours of service data.

Beginning September 23, 2023, motor carriers who continue to use the revoked devices listed above would be considered to be operating without an ELD. Safety officials who encounter a driver using a revoked device on or after September 23, 2023 should cite 395.8(a)(1), and place the

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Professional Logging Contractors of the Northeast

Loggers Serving Loggers Since 1995

Safety Acadia Insurance to Distribute Premium Dividends to Eligible PLC Safety Group Members WESTBROOK, Maine (9, 2023) Acadia Insurance, a W. R. Berkley Company®, recently announced that it will pay $443,597 in premium dividends to eligible policyholder members of the Professional Logging Contractors of the Northeast (PLC) Safety Group. Since 1999, Acadia has distributed over $14 million in premium dividends to eligible participants of this safety group.

Founded by Acadia Insurance, the PLC Safety Group dividend program rewards logging companies and sole proprietors for having a safe workplace by refunding a portion of their insurance premium if certain measures are met by the entire safety group. In addition, Acadia Insurance, in coordination with the PLC, provides risk management and mitigation expertise to members to help ensure the long-term sustainability of the logging industry.

“Acadia is pleased to once again be paying premium dividends to our dedicated policyholders in the PLC program,” said Douglas Freeman, Regional Vice President of Acadia Insurance’s Maine Branch. “In today’s challenging environment, it takes a significant amount of effort by the contractors, our agency partners, and the Underwriting, Loss Control and Claims teams at Acadia to deliver results that qualify for such a payment.

Acadia’s relationship with the PLC spans more than 25 years, and the partnership is as strong as it has ever been.”

The PLC of the Northeast has been serving loggers since 1995 and aims to give independent logging contractors a voice in the ever-changing logging industry.

The PLC focuses on advocacy, safety, quality operations and business innovation for loggers. The PLC is a logging organization run by loggers that understands the importance of the logging industry and its impact on the Northeast economy.

For more information about the Professional Logging Contractors of the Northeast Safety Group, please contact Robyn Sukeforth, Territory Marketing Specialist, Acadia Insurance, at robyn.sukeforth@acadia-ins.com.

About Acadia Insurance Acadia Insurance is a regional underwriter offering commercial and specialty property casualty insurance coverages through independent insurance agents with local offices in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York and Vermont. Rated A+ (Superior) by A.M. Best, Acadia Insurance Company is a member company of W. R. Berkley Corporation, one of the nation’s premier commercial lines property casualty insurance providers.

Please visit www.acadiainsurance.com.

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Safety The next PLC Safety Committee Meeting will be held in January 2024 All PLC Members Encouraged to Attend!

Watch your email for details

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Professional Logging Contractors of the Northeast

Loggers Serving Loggers Since 1995

Safety Ted Clark, CLCS, Loss Control Consultant, Acadia Insurance

Eye Hazards in the Logging Industry When selecting a pair of safety glasses, you should During the spring safety training a couple of years ago, I was chatting with a driver who had lost the sight in one start by looking for the imprint “Z87” or “Z87+”. Typically, of his eyes due to an accident that occurred many years prior. this will be on the frame, but occasionally it will be on the While we were discussing the incident that led to the loss of lens. This rating confirms that the glasses have been tested to his sight, he noted that most people don’t realize how much withstand a barrage of impacts and meet a list of loss of sight, even if only one eye, can affect your work and requirements set in place by the American National personal life. It’s hard not to take your eyesight for granted. Standards Institute, also known as ANSI. Most of us wake up every morning, open our eyes, and Typical prescription eyeglasses or sunglasses will maybe with the help of corrective lenses, we see perfectly not meet these requirements and, therefore cannot be counted fine. But I want you to try to imagine how much your life on to protect your eyes from hazards common to the would change if you couldn’t see out of one eye? How about workplace. If you require prescription glasses, you need to both eyes? The change would be dramatic, and it would last a verify that the glasses you wear meet the same ANSI Z87.1 lifetime. At a minimum, your hobbies, your job, and your standard. If your glasses do not meet this standard, there is a family life would likely change significantly. risk of them shattering due to impact, or allowing debris or Eye injuries in the workplace are very common and splatter to get into your eyes through openings. can range in severity. The National Institute for Occupational Finally, one of the most common complaints about Safety and Health (NIOSH) estimates that every day about eye protection is that they are scratched up, fogging up, 2,000 U.S. workers sustain an eye injury that requires broken, or not useable for some other reason. As a contractor medical treatment. Even a seemingly minor eye injury can you should keep a few extra pairs of new glasses around so have a major impact on your life. According to the American you can replace your employee’s worn out glasses.

Optometric Association, 3 out of 5 of those workers who CONCLUSION were injured were not wearing any eye protection at the time I was a firefighter in Pennsylvania for 4 years prior of injury. According to the same article, those injuries can be to moving home to Maine. My first call out with the fire reduced by 90% by simply wearing the right eye protection company was for an auto accident where we had to cut the and using it correctly. Luckily, this is an easy problem to fix, and it starts with understanding the hazard and knowing how vehicle apart to extricate one of the people involved in the accident. When I exited the truck, I was quickly pulled aside to reduce it.

OSHA requires that eye and face protection is worn by one of the more experienced firefighters who told me to put my safety glasses on and, “don’t let Pat catch you when there is a reasonable probability of injury. without your glasses.” Pat was the captain of the fire EYE HAZARDS IN THE LOGGING department and was known to take calculated risks while on INDUSTRY the scene, but one thing that he did not mess around with was eyesight. At a young age he had lost the sight in one of his Typical hazards may include projectiles from dust, eyes while working in a mill and, after that, he began taking metal, wood, or brush. We are also exposed to eye hazards eye sight safety extremely serious. Learn from this lesson whenever we deal with chemicals such as, diesel, hydraulic and don’t get caught up in the all too easy trap of not wearing fluid, oils, cleaners, etc. your safety glasses. A simple step to help reduce this hazard Safety glasses should be worn to protect your eyes is to wear glasses that are designed and tested to protect your from general hazards. When there is a high probability of eyes. Assuring the glasses fit properly and are suitable for the projectiles such as wood debris and metal from grinder, or environment you are working in, will help make sure they there is a possibility of chemical splash, a face shield or work when you need them and help ensure good eye health goggles should be considered. into retirement.

CHOOSING THE RIGHT PROTECTION Acadia is pleased to share this material for the benefit of its It’s important to recognize that safety glasses are not customers. Please note, however, that nothing herein should be construed as either legal advice or the provision of professional one size fits all. Therefore, it is important to make sure that the glasses you purchase fit properly and comfortably for the consulting services. This material is for informational purposes conditions you will encounter. Adjustable temples, eyewear only, and while reasonable care has been utilized in compiling this retainers, and tint can all make the glasses more comfortable information, no warranty or representation is made as to accuracy or completeness. Recipients of this material must utilize their own to wear. Glasses that do not fit snug around the face, will individual professional judgment in implementing sound risk leave gaps where debris can enter. management practices and procedures.

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Safety Acadia

Continued from Page 35

*This sign-in sheet is intended to be used with the quarterly Safety Training Topic on page 35. Refer to the cutline on page 35 when removing it from the magazine.

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Professional Logging Contractors of the Northeast

Loggers Serving Loggers Since 1995

Safety Work Life Balance and Logging

By Brie Weisman, OTR/L Does America not understand that lower hours are Imagine that you are taking your loved one to the smarter?

Of course we do. The theoretically most impactful ER department, and the medical doctor (MD) is finally able people in companies, CEOs, work on average 39 hours/ to take you, only to find out they’ve already put in a 12 week–in keeping with the hours of workers in other hour day, and this is their 70th hour of work this week. Do developed nations. We still harbor the notion of the CEO you think your loved one will get the best care? You may and management as the brains of the operation and the be concerned that the MD might miss something, not ask the right questions, not listen well, maybe give your loved workers as the muscle, requiring less rest and mental sharpness, but this is an antiquated concept. Today, a single one the wrong medication. You would probably like a doctor who is more fresh and alert. A medical mistake can worker in a logging operation may be responsible for an extremely expensive piece of equipment, and in effect, is be deadly. responsible for accomplishing the work of what would Of course, we all need to be awake and alert at have required several men fifty years ago. Looking at it work. A tired worker is an inefficient worker. Chronically that way, a field worker has the economic impact of a tired workers suffer from absenteeism and create higher foreman or middle manager of a generation or two ago. turnover rates. A tired worker is dangerous. The National Beyond the bottom line, overwork leads to greatly Sleep Foundation estimates around 6,400 people die diminished quality of life. Health issues such as stress, annually in crashes involving drowsy driving, with obesity, increased drinking, diabetes, trouble sleeping, and professional truck drivers contributing significantly to that cardiac issues all increase.

The mind actually does better total. Tired or exhausted minds lead to sloppy work, and when it is given a break.

Brain fog can occur from being things like poorly piled logs and equipment accidents are overworked resulting in headaches, lower energy levels, both a danger to workers and a preventable cost to business.

As a trainer giving workshops at 11 Professional Logging Contractor Trainings in 2023, I asked participants how long their average workday was. The average they reported was 12-14 hours. All the research tells us this is a bad idea, and we’ve known it for a long time.

The initial idea of an eight-hour workday originated over 200 years ago, when in 1817 the Welsh manufacturer Robert Owens declared, “Eight hours labor, eight hours recreation, eight hours rest,” In 1940, Henry Ford, went from a six day work week to eight hour days, five days a week. He found that less rested workers didn’t produce enough in a six-day week to justify the pay.

American culture embraces a ‘work harder, not smarter’ culture like no other developed nation. We have shorter vacations, fewer paid sick days, shorter maternity poor decision making, and an increase in mistakes. Doing leave, and paternity leave is almost unheard of. Some developed nations give the mother a paid year off, and dad something like simply getting out of the cab of the logging gets six weeks. We rank eighth for productivity per worker machine and walking a couple of times around the machine hour, with every nation topping us in the ranking working can refresh the brain and increase stimulation, blood flow, creativity and mindfulness. less hours/week.

Balance

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Safety Balance

Continued from Page 37

When workers have limited time with families, marriages and children suffer. When children suffer, problems carry over into schools. When families suffer, problems can carry over into communities.

Of course, there are times when long hours are simply necessary to get a job done, that is a reality in any dynamic work environment. But the industry should be striving to make these exceptions to the rule.

Employers have an outsized impact on communities. If their workers are healthy, happy, and have energy to give to their families and communities, everyone wins. What Owens knew in 1817 and Ford discovered in 1940 still stands today: the costs of consistent, long work

days outweigh the benefits in the long haul, for business, and beyond.

For More Information, visit Maine LogAbility, part of the Maine AgrAbility program: https://extension.umaine.edu/agrability/

Free in 2023 for PLC Members and their employees!

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Professional Logging Contractors of the Northeast

Loggers Serving Loggers Since 1995

The Logger’s Voice ▪ Fall 2023

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PLC Board visits MLOFT program Students available for interviews!

Thank you to all the Professional Logging students job shadow with you on a Friday, please contact Vanessa Tillson at 207-688-8195 or Contractors of the Northeast (PLC) board email office@maineloggers.com. members who visited the MLOFT program on Sept. 14!

If you would like to visit the MLOFT program to meet students and see the This was a great opportunity for program in action, please contact Donald Burr contractors to meet the students and for the students to learn about the logging industry from directly at (207) 356-1541 or email safety@plcloggers.org the best in the business!

If you are a logging contractor interested in having one or more students job shadow with you on a Friday, please contact Vanessa Tillson at 207-688-8195 or email office@plcloggers.org.

Students are also now available to meet with contractors to explore possible employment opportunities. If you need employees, we encourage you to reach out to schedule interviews now as students typically are hired even before their graduation (This year’s graduation will be on Nov. 9).

If you are interested in having one or more

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Professional Logging Contractors of the Northeast

Loggers Serving Loggers Since 1995

The PLC and PLC President Will Cole were proud to be invited to participate in the TimberHP ribbon cutting ceremony July 21 in Madison, Maine. As you can see in the picture, Will cut the “ribbon” as a crowd that included Maine Gov. Janet Mills, Senator Susan Collins, and Congressman Jared Golden looked on. It is great to see the Madison mill back in business and buying local wood.

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Waterbars

By Tom Gilbert Water Resources Specialist Maine Forest Service Waterbars are one of the most commonly used BMPs. Inexpensive and quick to install, a few properly placed waterbars before a big rain or at closeout can mean the difference between a trouble-free harvest and the headache of mud in the brook. Though they seem simple, installing an effective water bar takes some thought and practice. It is better to take the time to get a few good waterbars in the right places than waste time and diesel plowing up structures that are ineffective due to their placement, construction, or a little of both.

The first question to ask is “do I need waterbars?” A trail that has been well brushed or one that has used the natural terrain to break up long continuous slopes may not need waterbars at all. Trails that have long continuous slopes, steep sections, approaches to stream crossings, or areas with exposed soil are all good candidates for waterbars. Once you have determined waterbars are needed, take some time to figure out the best locations. Waterbars need to be located frequently enough to prevent large volumes of water from accumulating in the trail.

Even more important than strictly following the spacing chart is getting waterbars located so that any water that accumulates flows off the trail and will stay off the trail. On stream crossing approaches, the last water bar should be located just outside the waterbody filter area. Inside the filter area, soil stabilization techniques such as brush or seed and mulch should be used instead of waterbars.

To properly construct a water bar, consider its five parts: the inlet, outlet, mound height, depth and angle.

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Inlet – The inlet of a water bar must extend far enough off the trail to be sure all runoff on the trail is captured.

Outlet – The outlet must extend far enough off the trail so water will not re-enter the trail. It should direct the water into an area of undisturbed forest floor so it can disperse and be absorbed, keeping sediment from reaching a waterbody.

Mound height – The mound height of a waterbar forms a barrier so water cannot continue down the trail.

Depending on conditions often 6-12” high is sufficient.

Depth – The depth should be relatively consistent to efficiently channel water off the trail via the outlet. Ideally the depth has a slight slope of 2-3% so water will drain but not gather enough speed to erode the bottom of the water bar.

Angle – Waterbars should be located at about a 30 degree angle to the trail. A “mound of dirt” oriented perpendicular to the trail will not drain properly and will form a dam that water will run around or over.

Installing a good waterbar with a skidder presents some special challenges.

For a helpful video check out https:// www.maine.gov/dacf/mfs/ policy_management/water_resources/ bmps.html

For more information reference our BMP manual, available online at: https://www.maine.gov/dacf/mfs/ policy_management/water_resources/bmps.html

Professional Logging Contractors of the Northeast

Loggers Serving Loggers Since 1995

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Professional Logging Contractors of Maine

Loggers Serving Loggers Since 1995

Master Logger® Executive Director appointed ViceChair of FSC U.S. Board of Directors assembled logger from across the nation at the ALC’s AUGUSTA, ME – Master Logger® Executive Annual Meeting in Newry, ME on Oct. 5, and spoke highly Director Ted Wright has been reelected to the Forest of Wright.

Stewardship Council (FSC) U.S. Board of Directors to serve his second consecutive three-year term.

“Ted is a champion for you on the FSC Board of directors,” Frederiksen said. “Continue to voice your Wright, who has served on the Board’s executive concerns through him and we will do our best to committee for the past year, was appointed Vice-Chair of incorporate them and address them.” the Board on Sept. 21, and will become Chairman next year. He is the first-ever representative of the logging In addition to administering the Master Logger program, TCNEF administers an FSC®-certified group of industry to serve on the FSC Board.

Wright is a Maine native and Executive Director of family forest landowners throughout New England and forest landowners can both the Trust to Conserve Northeast Forestlands (TCNEF) New York. Under this arrangement ® inexpensively gain access to FSC group certification. and the Northeast Master Logger® Certification Program, TCNEF is the administrative body that holds the FSC which the Trust oversees. In 2019 under Wright’s certificate and has overall responsibility for compliance leadership, the TCNEF received an FSC Leadership with the FSC® Northeast Regional Standard.

Award.

TCNEF also administers an FSC®-certified “I’m honored at the opportunity to continue group of Chain of Custody that provides an information serving on the FSC U.S. Board,” Wright said. “As Vice Chair of the board I will continue to represent the interests trail, established and audited according to rules set by FSC, for Master Loggers and wood products companies to and perspectives of professional loggers who are committed to the responsible management of forests for all ensure that wood comes from certified forests.

For more information on the Master Logger as well as the protection of small rural communities that program or TCNEF, contact Ted Wright at (207) 688-8195 they reside and work in near FSC-certified forests.” opt. 2 or executivedirector@tcnef.org. Additional The FSC U.S. Board of Directors is the information is also available at organization’s highest governing authority and http://masterloggercertification.com consists of up to fifteen individuals, all of whom are U.S.-based FSC members. Each of the three FSC About the Forest Stewardship Council chambers (Social, Economic and Environmental) has three representatives who are elected by U.S.-based The Forest Stewardship Council is an independent FSC members and serve for a three-year term. An nonprofit organization that promotes environmentally additional two individuals may be appointed in each sound, socially beneficial, and economically prosperous chamber by the Board, typically to ensure a full range of perspectives and expertise. management of forests. FSC was created in 1993 to set the The Board leads the development of national standards by which forests are certified, offering assurance strategy, oversees the chief executive, ensures effective to consumers and businesses that the wood products they financial oversight, and approves the National Forest buy originate from well-managed forests. More than 5,000 Stewardship Standard and Controlled Wood National Risk companies and nearly 160 million acres of forestland are Assessment. In addition, the Board plays an important role certified under FSC in the United States and Canada. For in FSC globally, working on issues affecting the broader more information visit www.fsc.org.

FSC community.

Derik Frederiksen, President of FSC US, addressed

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As We See It August 2023

By Scott Dane Can’t See the Forest for the Trees Originally the phrase was “Can’t See the Wood for the Trees”. Either way is apropos for the timber industry.

Sometimes even loggers have a hard time seeing the forest for the trees.

“From him who sees no wood for trees and yet is busy as the bees.”

The expression refers to someone so consumed by the details of a problem (situation) that they are blind to the big picture. Looking at the situation from a 30,000-foot perspective can bring the big picture into focus and shed some light on the challenge instead of having tunnel vision So, he increased his meat and bun orders. or blinders on.

He bought a bigger stove to take care of his trade.

Rarely have the economic challenges of the timber He finally got his son home from college to help industry been so daunting and challenging. him out. ∙Mill Closures Then something happened. ∙ Quotas His son said, “Father, haven’t you been listening ∙ Price Cuts to the radio? ∙ Workforce Shortages Haven’t you been reading the newspapers? ∙ Inflation and Costs There’s a big depression.

Pulling back and playing into the doom and gloom The European situation is terrible. scenario of all the negative economic news would be The domestic situation is worse.” tempting. But there is a lesson about a hotdog salesman Whereupon the father thought: that is a good example worth considering.

Well, my son’s been to college.

He read the papers and listened to the radio and There was a man who lived by the side of the road ought to know. and sold hot dogs.

So, the father cut back on his meat and bun orders, He was hard of hearing, so he had no radio. took down his advertising signs, and no longer bothered to He had trouble with his eyes, so he read no stand out on the highway to promote his hot dogs. newspapers.

His hot dog sales fell almost overnight.

But he sold good hot dogs.

He put up signs on “You are certainly right, son,” the father said to the highway telling how good they were. the boy, “we are certainly in the middle of a depression.”

He stood on the side of the road and cried, “Buy a hot dog, mister.”

It is all a mindset, but it can be a self-fulfilling And people bought.

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Professional Logging Contractors of the Northeast

Loggers Serving Loggers Since 1995

prophecy. Scale back, less income, more contraction, less Then the rectum (loggers) spoke and insisted it income, more contraction………………. It is an induced should be in charge. downward spiral.

All the rest of the parts laughed and derided the The economy is cyclic, it always has been and very notion. The rectum wasn’t necessary. How could it always will be. Look at the Great Recession and the possibly be in charge? housing industry collapse of 2008. Even the stock market So, the rectum closed. After a few days, the legs tanked. But we recovered from that. The economics of the were all wobbly, the stomach was queasy, the hands were timber industry will improve (if the doesn’t, then the entire shaky, the eyes were watery, and the brain couldn’t think economy is in bigger trouble, and it won’t matter), the only straight.

The other body parts soon agreed that they question is will you be weaker, like the hotdog vendor, and couldn’t take it anymore and that the rectum should be in have to recover and play catch up, or will you maintain charge. your strength and be positioned to take advantage of the recovery?

This all goes to show that you don’t have to be the Furthermore, loggers are in far more control of the most important; you just need to show others that you do matter, and without you, the rest cannot exist or function. situation than they realize. You are the most important Although some people say the story’s moral is that it segment of the timber supply chain and you are demonstrates that to be in charge, you just must be an indispensable, irreplaceable, and essential.

The timber and forest products industry is a lot like ……… the human body. Each part is vital to survival and has a In conclusion: distinct function. The following analogy is an example of the vital function that the logging sector plays in the overall Step back and gain a 30,000-foot perspective. See the forest, not just the trees. forest products industry: Don’t create a self-fulfilling prophecy of decline.

One day the different parts of the body were having Position yourself to weather the economic storm but from a an argument to see which should be in charge. position of strength, not weakness. All storms pass. Having The brain (foresters) said: ‘I do all the thinking, so spent 15 years sailing the seven seas, I have encountered I’m the most important, and I should be the boss’. many storms, some life-threatening. When young sailors The eyes (landowner) said: ‘I see everything and expressed concern, I would tell them, “Three days from let the rest of you know where we are, so I’m the most now, we will have calm seas again,” and we did. important, and I should be in charge’.

Yesterday’s storms you faced have passed, last month’s The hands (equipment vendors) said: ‘Without me, storms are history, last year’s storm is a distant memory, we wouldn’t be able to pick anything up or move anything. and today’s storms will be too.

So, I’m the most important and should be in charge.

You are far more important than the brain, eyes, The stomach (mills) said: ‘I turn the food we eat hands, stomach, and legs want you to believe. You might into energy for the rest of you. Without me, we’d starve. So, be taken for granted, not given rightful respect, neglected, I’m the most important and should be the boss. and abused, but if you weren’t functioning, they wouldn’t The legs (truckers) said: ‘Without me, we wouldn’t be either. Don’t be afraid to speak up or stand up for be able to move anywhere. So, I’m the most important and yourselves. should be in charge.

The Logger’s Voice ▪ Fall 2023

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Congressional Delegation Updates Maine’s forest products industry is an economic powerhouse that contributes billions of dollars to our economy and supports rural communities. In the face of a changing 21st century economy, our State is responding with ingenuity and determination to develop a new bioeconomy to help ensure that our forests remain working forests.

An exciting advancement in this effort was made this summer when the Timber HP plant opened at Sen. Susan Collins the former Madison Paper Mill. The first plant of its kind in North America to manufacture highperforming insulation from wood fiber will help sustain and create Maine jobs in rural communities, save consumers money on their heating bills, and reduce emissions to combat climate change. This truly is a win-win-win situation.

Nearly 90 percent of Maine is forested, the highest percentage in the nation. This new, cutting-edge use for wood fiber underscores the ethic of stewardship that has defined our forest-products industry throughout our State’s history, and has the additional benefits of protecting water quality, habitat for biodiversity, and opportunities for public recreation.

The closure of Madison Paper seven years ago was

a terrible blow to the region. That was one of six mill closures in just two years and the thirteenth in 25 years. In response to this crisis, Senator King and I urged the Department of Commerce to deploy an Economic Development Assessment Team. They worked with the men and women who know our forests best to chart a roadmap to renewed economic development. That effort is the foundation of the FOR/Maine Initiative that is spearheading the development of a transformative bioeconomy. And I continue to support the research and workforce development initiatives that are moving your industry and our State forward.

Throughout Maine, exciting new products are being developed, creating a new generation of jobs and addressing climate change. Wood-based products such as biochar have many high-value applications, from PFAS remediation to removing CO2 from the atmosphere. Composite siding and insulation are leading to low–maintenance, energy efficient buildings. With the world’s largest 3-D printer, UMaine researchers are pioneering a future of affordable housing made from wood fibers and bio-resins. Maine companies are leading the way in making fiber-based packaging as an alternative to plastic and mass timber to reduce the carbon footprint of the construction industry.

A working forest requires a team effort, from the landowners, loggers, and haulers to the innovators, and Maine has a great team. The possibilities are endless when new technology is combined with our State’s traditional values of hard work and innovation.

The University of Maine is just one institution that does incredible, cutting-edge work to support our forest economy, public health, and sustainability efforts. In short, the university is doing the homework so you can all learn and If you’ve ever had to do home improvements or take your car adopt modern approaches for the industry's future success and keep up your competitive edge in the marketplace. to the shop, there’s a reality that Where could these grants go and how could they help? nobody can avoid: either pay now or If the AG RESEARCH Act gets passed, that could mean pay more later. While it’s sometimes improvements in your work towards: necessary to delay a fix, deferring ∙ PFAS research and efforts around developing new maintenance is almost always PFAS-free packaging, which relies heavily on forest products/ punting a cost today and setting byproducts yourself up for a bigger price tag tomorrow. ∙ Remote sensing, sensor development, and data architecture that helps with predicting climate change effects So sooner is always better Sen. Angus King on our forests, estimating carbon sequestration, predicting our when it’s time to get things fixed, water resources into the future – all aimed at staying on top of especially when it’s an investment in one of Maine’s natural the best science to promote healthy forests treasures – our forests. That’s why I’ve co-sponsored the AuGmenting Research and Educational Sites to Ensure ∙ Research to strengthen Maine’s Christmas tree Agriculture Remains Cutting-edge and Helpful (AG stocks, and RESEARCH) Act, so that the University of Maine can restore ∙ Updating its facilities with the newest tools and and repair many of its older facilities and properties. It’s a technologies to text out ways to make sure your mills and “rising tide lifting all boats” approach to help research yards run as efficiently as possible. facilities support your superior work in forestry. The bill If anyone knows the value of planting seeds for a prosperous includes funds for the Department of Agriculture, to provide future, it’s all of you out there working the forests for our grant opportunities for schools of agriculture interested in iconic industry. I hope that this seed money to our research altering, modernizing, renovating, or remodeling research facilities will lead to a bounty of findings and information that facilities and equipment. America’s top agricultural study can help you with your operations for decades to facilities are currently up against an $11 billion backlog of come. Thanks as always for all you do and the tireless work needed repairs and upgrades – including our own state school, you contribute to our great state. so now is the best time to chip away at the problem and fuel st 21 century work for your kids and grandkids.

Seed Money for Maine’s Timber Economy

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We have all seen and felt the effects of climate change this summer: Dystopian orange skies, record-breaking heat, and deadly floods and wildfires. Maine set records for consecutive days of measurable precipitation and warmest monthly average temperature. Globally, this summer was the hottest ever measured, the World Meteorological Organization said.

In addition to sweltering Rep. Chellie Pingree heat, the U.S. has endured 15 confirmed weather/climate disaster events with losses exceeding $1 billion each, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). This data, released on August 8, 2023, does not take into account the devastation caused by hurricane Idalia or the wildfires in Maui.

Experts warn the worst is yet to come.

As the climate crisis intensifies, companies across the country are increasingly searching for ways to offset their carbon emissions, including through carbon sequestration in forests.

While 95 percent of Maine forest land is privately owned, few forest owners currently participate in carbon markets due to the up-front costs and uncertainty about rules and requirements. That’s why I have teamed up with Congressman William Timmons (R-S.C.) to introduce the Rural Forest Markets Act. Our bipartisan bill—which is supported by dozens of forestry and conservation organizations—will help Maine’s family forest owners tap into carbon markets and create an economic incentive for climatefriendly management of privately-owned forests in Maine.

Here’s how.

The Rural Forest Markets Act would create a program at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to guarantee loans, bonds, or other investment vehicles, up to $150 million, for projects that assist private forest owners to create and sell carbon credits. Technical and financial barriers currently discourage private forest owners from participating in carbon markets. This program would create an incentive for climatefriendly forest management and provide another revenue stream for forest owners.

This bill would not only benefit foresters and the environment, but its flexibility would support all landowners— regardless of their acreage or current involvement in traditional forest products markets. In addition, our bill has the power to diversify income streams for landowners involved in traditional forestry production.

My focus right now is making sure that forestry plays a prominent role in the Farm Bill, and with Farm Bill negotiations underway, I am fighting to include the Rural Forest Markets Act into this larger, must-pass bill that governs all of USDA’s programs for the next five years.

In late July, I hosted House Agriculture Chair Glenn "GT" Thompson (R-Pa.) and my fellow Committee members— Representatives Jim Baird (R-Ind.), Jim Costa (D-Calif.), and Jim McGovern (D-Mass.)—in Midcoast Maine for a Farm Bill listening session. There, we heard directly from leaders in Maine’s forestry industry who want to see a Farm Bill that supports new revenue streams for forest landowners.

I am relaying the many stories and suggestions we heard at the listening session to my colleagues on the Agriculture Committee, and I am committed to crafting a Farm Bill that best reflects the needs of Maine’s ever-changing, heritage forestry industry.

Maine wood cut by Maine loggers hauled by Maine drivers, to For over two centuries, make a product in Maine, by Mainers, for Mainers. Instead of Maine’s forestry sector has set a prime example of what a successful, sending materials abroad to create jobs in Canada or China, we’re now making Maine goods that might actually be responsible industry can do for a state. People may often refer to this exported to them. work as “heritage,” but through hard What this mill represents is proof that it remains work and promising innovations possible to maintain a connection with our past and carry on across the Pine Tree State, you all with our distinctive ways of making a living in rural Maine. It’s continue to be an important part of a beacon of pride and hope, and it’s being made possible Maine’s future. because of your continued work.

I got to see an example in As always, if you have questions about resources for person this summer when I attended the industry or need any support, please shoot our logger the ribbon cutting ceremony for support team an email Timber HP in Madison. This new at MELoggerSupportTeam@mail.house.gov. We should get back to you quickly.

Rep. Jared Golden business – which already employs nearly 70 people – is using the wood Even if it is not related to your work, my team and I fiber you produce to make energy-efficient building materials are always here to help. Please let us know if we can help you that save us all money. solve problems you or your family is having with Medicare, At face value, Timber HP’s operation is a boon for the Social Security, the VA, or other federal programs or local community and helps grow the market for your own agencies. products. However, I think it also represents something even You can reach my staff at: Lewiston: (207) 241-6767; bigger.

Caribou: (207) 492-6009; Bangor: (207) 249-7400.

The business that now occupies the mill is You can also send us an email headquartered in Maine, majority owned by Mainers, uses at: golden.house.gov/contact/email-me

The Logger’s Voice ▪ Fall 2023

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Thank you to Chuck Leavell and his film crew Northeast Master Logger® for spending Aug. 11 in the woods in Milo, ME with Certification program PLC Board Member Molly London and her husband and their Alex, co-owners of W.W. London Woodlot participation is Management Co. highlighting why The Londons will be featured in an upcoming (spring 2024) segment of America's Forests with Chuck contractor Leavell for PBS showcasing the Maine forest economy! certification is so important.

PLC Member W.W. London is part of the We appreciate the opportunity to showcase the professionalism of logging and look forward to seeing the finished segment!

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Loggers Serving Loggers Since 1995

The Logger’s Voice ▪ Winter 2021

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Professional Logging Contractors of the Northeast 108 Sewall St. P.O. Box 1036 Augusta, ME 04332