ALC updates

American Loggers Council sees generational changes at its 27th annual meeting.

*Article reprinted with permission from Hatton-Brown Publishers and Timber Harvesting magazine. This article appeared in the November/December 2021 edition and has been reformatted to fit this space.

BY David Abbott and Dan Shell

COUER D’ ALENE, Id.

When the members of the American Loggers Council met for the organization’s 25th anniversary in September 2019, no one at the time knew that it would be two years before the group would have its annual meeting in person again. Due to the pandemic, the 2020 meeting, which would have taken place in Branson, Mo., the home state of then-President Shannon Jarvis, was held virtually instead in September 2020. At that time, ALC’s board voted for all officers elected in 2020 to serve two-year terms and for the annual meeting to take place in Branson in 2022, at which time new officers will be elected. This decision was reaffirmed in the 2021 meeting.

This year’s meeting took place on October 7-9 in Coeur d’Alene, Id. Current American Loggers Council President Tim Christofferson welcomed attendees to his home state of Idaho. New ALC Executive Director Scott Dane rose to the challenge of his first annual meeting admirably well, while his predecessor in the position, Danny Dructor, who handed the reins over to Dane earlier this year after 20 years on the job, clearly enjoyed the chance to sit back, relax and enjoy the meeting free from all the headache of organizing it.

The future picture of the American Loggers Council is taking shape in real time, building on the foundation of its past. Signs abounded that the dedication and hard work of so many people over so many years has paid handsome dividends, with ALC now being recognized in new ways. As Dructor himself put it, “We have arrived.”

That turned out to be a recurring theme of the weekend, underscored by the fact that no less than the office of the President of the United States sent ALC a message during the meeting. Responding to the message, Tom Trone, who moderated Friday’s seminars, said, “The work of 27 years has paid off, because ALC is on the radar of the highest office in the land. Five years ago they wouldn’t have known (anything) about us.”

At one point Trone invited Dructor on stage with him to look back on what ALC has accomplished, how it has grown, where it came from and where it is headed. Dructor noted that participation in the annual fly-in event, in which ALC members visit their state’s Congressional delegates to represent the interests

American Loggers Council members gathered in Idaho to discuss issues pertinent to the industry. of the industry, has grown significantly, and the impact of their efforts is now becoming apparent. “We don’t call them anymore they call us,” Dructor said, citing the example of Arkansas Congressman Bruce Westerman texting him directly to discuss forestry issues. “The letter (from President Biden) we just got was proof positive that we have arrived in Washington, DC. We are in a position now we have never been in. We are speaking for ourselves, our sector of this industry; we have not had that opportunity in the past.” He noted that ALC reps are now sitting in on advisory panels, working on policy, testifying before Congress. “We have built relationships with members of Congress that are priceless, and we have to continue that. It doesn’t matter which party is in power.” Concluding his remarks, Dructor left his friends with this advice: “You are loggers working for loggers; don’t ever let anyone take that away from you.” Seminars Industry consultant and former John Deere man Tom Trone served as moderator and facilitator for a full day of seminars and set the tone for the day by commenting on what he called a “generational shift” in the logging industry, in the ALC and in its leadership. Noting that information is key to success, Trone introduced Pete Stewart, President, CEO and founder of Forest- 2Markets, who kicked off a slate of speakers with discussion focused on post-Covid markets in 2021 and going forward. Capital expenditures at mills have been almost entirely in the South, which has added 2.5 billion board feet of new capacity. “Capital is flowing to the South, China, Hunt’s Jeremy Morris discuss and Latin America and nowhere else,” he says. Why is trucking.

it all in the South? Because the Northeast has a balance of supply and demand, leaving no room for growth. The situation in the South is a negative for landowners but a boon for suppliers. Agriculture has a similar problem with over production and a tension between supply and demand, he noted. Stewart cited 50 million tons of excess pulpwood in the U.S. and 40 million tons of excess saw timber, adding that “The South alone could produce another 10 billion board feet of lumber, easily.” Overall, industry trends are fairly clear, he asserted: increasing demand for logs and pine pulp in the South, flat demand in the northwest, and declines in the Midwest outside of some choice markets. With such an oversupply of fiber, he said, loggers have little choice but to get more efficient. As for other, less traditional industry markets, Stewart admitted progress is being made in advanced biofuel and chemicals, but slowly. Meanwhile, he called the market potential for mass timber “enormous.” He further advised members of the forest products community to pay attention to carbon credits, calling greenhouse emission offset trading a new global currency. The Blackrock hedge fund alone could

buy every log sold in a year in the U.S. for 2% of their revenue, he warned. Dana Doran, Executive Director of Professional Logging Contractors of Maine was on a panel with Julie Tucker from the DC office of the US Forest Service speaking on the work it took to achieve success with PATHH this past year. Doran said, “$200 million puts the logging community on the face of the earth when it comes to Congress and the Executive Branch. It was a battle,” he admits to get PAATH cleared. “We have gotten on the map and we can use that for what we need going forward.” Henry Scheinebeck, ALC committee chair on government affairs, reported ported on his having testified before Congress. “We mostly listen to WIE-FM: What’s In It For Me,” he said. “Somebody’s got to do it or you got to pay someone else to do it for you. I don’t Logging tour visited Bob Danielson Logging’s fully mechanized tethered operation near Clarkia, Id want to do this I want to be in the woods but someone has to.” Another panel considered the challenge of finding, training and retaining qualified employees. Delbert Gannon made a presentation about the HELO (Heavy Equipment Logging Operations) training program at northern California’s Shasta College. Rex Storm of Associated Oregon Loggers (AOL) and Sara Nelson, AOL’s workforce development manager, discussed how to attract new workers to replace older ones retiring. Nelson asserted: that 80% of logging businesses in Oregon use word of mouth as the primary method of finding new employees. “That’s not the best way to reach young people,” she points out. Dan Snidarich, a member of the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 49, based in the Virginia office but representing workers in Minnesota, discussed how his group helped the timber industry in Minnesota design a healthcare agreement for loggers and their employees—a Dructor, left, and ALC-Idaho’s benefit that’s not often feasible for many small operators to Christoperson. offer potential hires. Meanwhile, according to Caterpillar’s marketing consultant Mike Lenzie and senior project engineer Mike Greco, future loggers may not even need as many employees. They say timber harvesting technology is on the path to autonomy: remote controlled machines with no operators physically in the cab. The annual auction Friday night was as spirited as usual and attendees proved themselves as generous as always, perhaps more so this year. Normally the proceeds from the Tim Curren’s Seaway Timber auction go to the ALC and to Children’s Hospitals. This Harvesting was the TH Logging Business of the Year. time, though, they went further, also donating to help one of their own (see sidebar).

During Saturday’s meetings, Henry Scheinebeck reported on climate change mitigation and carbon neutrality biomass credits, and lamented stalled progress on the proposed safe routes act to increase weight tolerance for log trucks on interstates nationwide. Frustrated with the lack of traction on the interstate issue at the federal level, some suggested confining the issue to the local and state level, an approach that has been successful in many areas.

According to Richard Schwab, lobbyists have told him that “No legislator in their right mind will increase weight limits nationwide for just one industry.” As an alternative, state associations and politically active loggers can lobby to carve out exemptions specific corridors close to a local market, rather than a blanket change for the whole country. This piecemeal approach, some suggested, may also prove more palatable to railroad lobbies, which have opposed the Safe Routes Act at the federal level.

At the awards lunch on Saturday, ALC gave special recognition to Dructor, calling him a trailblazer who left a path others can now follow. Receiving a special ax and plaque in appreciation for his two decades of service, Dructor was emotional in his thank you, and said, “I’m pleased to see in my successor what it takes: it’s called passion.”

At the President’s farewell banquet Saturday night, TH Managing Editor Dan Shell presented the Timber Harvesting 2021 Logging Business of the Year award to Tim Curran of Seaway Timber Harvesting in Massena, NY. Like Southern Loggin’ Times, Timber Harvesting magazine is a publication of Hatton-Brown Publishers. Seaway Timber Harvesting is a major timber producer that operates multiple crews and a pellet mill. The company is the 24th winner of the award, which recognizes loggers who step outside the woods in support of their industry and communities, and the first winner from the state of New York.

The keynote speaker was Staff Sgt. Travis Mills, a veteran of Afghanistan who woke up from an encounter with a land mine in 2012 to learn on his 25th birthday that he was a quadruple amputee. He didn’t let this stop him from leading full life with his family and helping others. Urging his audience to never give up and never quit, Mill’s speech was moving, motivating and, perhaps surprisingly, extremely funny. No doubt those in the room left with a renewed perspective on their own lives.

TH

Helping Out

higherduringtheALC’s AuctionNight.

After American Loggers Council (ALC) board member Dan Leeds suffered a stroke a while back, fellow loggers across the nation stepped in to lend a hand during the recent ALC annual meeting. A beautiful Stihl 880 Magnum chain saw with 4 ft. bar donated by Michigan logger Jim Carey went into the silent auction, and the saw was won and re-donated and auctioned several times with the proceeds designated for Leeds of the Northern Arizona Loggers Assn. and owner of Northwoods Logging in Greer, Ariz. Together, the ALC members attendance raised more than $20,000 in one night to help a fellow logger in a time of need.

As We Are Seen October 2021 By Scott Dane

The American Loggers Council recently held its 2021 Annual Membership Meeting and Conference in Coeur d’Alene Idaho. Even with the ongoing uncertainty of the Pandemic, 180 timber industry representatives gathered for 3 days of business, seminars, logging operation tours and other events.

Why did logging industry representatives from all four corners, and in between (28 states) attend? Because these industry leaders know that it is the American Loggers Council that represents them and their issues. Opening the Conference was Idaho Governor Brad Little, who personally attended, formally addressed and welcomed the group, and visited with the attendees. Why, in his busy schedule did Governor Little attend the Conference? Because he recognizes the value of Idaho’s timber industry (not to mention his personal and professional relationship with the Associated Contract Loggers - Idaho, their staff and members) and the role that the American Loggers Council plays in collectively representing the 30 state association members. Participating in the Conference was Julie Tucker, a representative of the US Forest Service - DC Headquarters Office.

Why did the USFS official attend and participate in the conference? Because the US Forest Service appreciates the collaborative professional relationship between themselves and the American Loggers Council. Additionally, as the PATHH program application deadline approached they knew that directly reaching the 28 states that were represented at the Conference was the most effective way to reach out to loggers and truckers across the country. While at the Conference, the American Loggers Council received a direct official correspondence from the White House specifically addressing the American Loggers Council, the Conference, and the economic and environmental benefits that the timber industry provides in sustainable forestry.

Why did President Biden reach out to the American Loggers Council during the Conference? Because healthy forests, wildfire mitigation, rural jobs, and carbon sequestration are not partisan issues. They are shared objectives, and the timber industry, represented by the American Loggers Council, is recognized as being a key element to accomplishing those objectives. A couple of weeks ago the House Committee on Small Business, Subcommittee on Underserved, Agricultural and Rural Business Development held a Hearing on “Sustainable Forestry’s Role in Climate Solutions. Of the four witnesses testifying two were American Loggers Council affiliated. Scott Dane, American Loggers Council Executive Director testified on behalf of the minority party (Republicans) and Dana Doran, Professional Logging Contractors of Maine (American Loggers Council member) Executive Director testified on behalf of the Subcommittee Chairman Jered Golden and the majority party (Democrats). Why was the American Loggers Council invited to provide Congressional Testimony? Because both parties recognize and respect the fact that the American Loggers Council and its members are necessary to heathy forests, created by science based silvicultural practices performed by the timber industry. The American Loggers Council, Legislative Committee Chairman, Henry Schienebeck (GLTPA Executive Director) testified at a previous Congressional Hearing this past summer as well. So, “How are WE, the American Loggers Council,

Seen?”

We are seen as a leading professional organization that represents the American Logging Industry, speaking on their behalf, and as the National Voice for Professional Loggers. To be part of the American Logging Council join your state associations, join the American Loggers Association directly as an Individual Logging Member if your state does not have a logging association, or if you are an ancillary company (supplier, consumer, vendor, OEM, or other Association) you may join as an Associate Member. Be Seen, Be Heard For more information on these membership options and to join visit www.amloggers.com

As We See It November 2021 By Scott Dane

The National Voice for Loggers, the American Loggers Council has opened an office in Washington DC, one block from the White House. The iconic movie, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, depicts a "common-sense", "small town", albeit naïve and politically unsavvy, Washington outsider going to D.C. In a sense perhaps the American Loggers Council can be likened to that Jimmy Stewart character, "Mr. Smith", who quickly discovers many of the shortcomings of the political process but remains steadfast in his values as he stands alone in an inspired fight against corruption and greed, ultimately succeeding in his political quests. It is likewise our intent to prevail.

Some may view the American Loggers Council, and the people that we represent, as “naïve” to the inner workings of the DC machine, but like Mr. Smith, in my 17 years of state and federal legislative work, I have found one simple formula for political success – forthright honesty. If elected and non-elected officials know that they can trust you and your message, then they are willing to work with you. Furthermore, for the most part loggers are respected within the halls of Congress, both right and left. Loggers represent hard working, "boots on the ground", "salt of the earth", "last of a breed" men and women who are admired within the denizens of the Capitol. Additionally, relationships are the basis for both business and politics. The American Loggers Council represents the politics of business, particularly at the federal level. To establish and build these relationships you must be “where” this business of politics is conducted – Washington DC, not Gilbert, Minnesota. "The famous bank robber Willie Sutton was asked, “Why do you rob banks?” He replied, “Because that’s where the money is.” Washington DC is where the money is, (at least you’d think so the way it is thrown around sometimes), but that is not actually why the American Loggers Council is establishing an office in DC. More importantly, Washington DC is where the laws, policies and decisions are made that affect your business and your “money”. It has been said: "If you are not at the table, you are probably on the menu." The American Loggers Council wants to make sure that the timber industry has a seat at the table and is not on the menu, that is why we have opened an office in DC. This American Loggers Council office will be available to use for the members during their visits to DC as an additional benefit of membership (Please contact the Council in advance to schedule use of the office and its amenities during your visit in Washington DC). Some may believe that the timber industry is Mr. Smith, but like him, naïve as it may seem, the American Loggers Council believes that those in Washington DC still work for us, those who elected them. Therefore, the Council is prepared to be in DC: working to address the challenges and threats to the timber industry, establish relationships and solve problems. After all, the timber industry is a vital economic and environmental partner:

• Post-Pandemic Recovery • Rural Job Development • Healthy Forest Management • Wildfire Mitigation • Carbon Sequestration • Renewable Energy & Fuel • Forest Products Production

Absent a stable and sustainable timber industry, none of these economic and environmental benefits are achievable. Healthy forests should not be a partisan issue. The American Loggers Council looks forward to working with our elected officials and government agencies in Washington DC to address the shared objectives and take advantage of the opportunities that the timber industry represents in achieving these benefits.