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AFA NEWSROOM V11 NO. 13, July 1, 2016
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kronospan announces $362 million expansion
Oxford's Kronospan plant is expanding, investing $362 million in a multi-phase plan which could  result in hiring another 160 to 200 employees.
Company officials today announced the plan along with Oxford city and Calhoun County economic officials in a press conference at City Hall. The company also said it plans to develop a "furniture cluster" which could attract other companies to the area engaged in furniture manufacturing.
"The city, county and state all worked extremely well with us and it was an easy decision," said Tim Pack, Kronospan's chief financial officer. Photo: Tim Pack
Read more...
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forestry posts impressive 2015 expansion numbers
In 2015 the forest industry continued to grow with almost $900 million in capital investment in new  and expanding industry in Alabama.
In a recently released report, the Alabama Department of Commerce announced a total of over $7 billion in capital investments in new and expanding industry last year, with more than 12% of that amount generated by forestry companies doing business in Alabama. Read AFA Release
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2016 AFA annual meeting includes great lineup
In addition to all of the usual fun activities at the 2016 AFA Annual Meeting, the lineup this year is going to be amazing. Speakers will include:
Mark Crosswhite, CEO, Alabama Power; Craig Blair, CEO, Resource Management Services; Jim Porter, President, WestRock Paper Solutions; Lieutenant Governor Kay Ivey; Ted Seraphim, CEO, West Fraser; U.S. Senator Richard Shelby; and last but not least, Attorney General Luther Strange.
In addition to The Sunburn Classic (our Annual Golf Tournament) and Fun in the Sun Beach Bash, this year we have added an afternoon excursion to the Port of Mobile. So, no matter what your taste, there is bound to be something you will like at the 2016 AFA Annual Meeting, September 11-13, at Perdido Beach Resort, Orange Beach, Ala. To register, view the agenda, and Continuing Ed credits, click here.
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EPA SAYS NO FURTHER REGULATION OF FOREST ROADS UNDER CWA
WASHINGTON, DC, June 28, 2016 – The National Alliance of Forest Owners (NAFO) today applauded the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on its decision against further regulation of forest roads under the Clean Water Act (CWA). Read NAFO Release
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AFC URGES CAUTION WITH FIREWORKS ON JULY 4TH
For those planning to celebrate America’s  Independence Day with cookouts and fireworks this coming weekend, the Alabama Forestry Commission reminds everyone to observe fire safety precautions. Read release
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some canadian sawmills might close over lack of softwood lumber deal
MONTREAL—Canadian jobs and sawmills across  the country are increasingly at risk because of fading prospects they will avoid a new round of U.S. duties on imported softwood lumber, according to an industry analyst.
RBC Capital Markets analyst Paul Quinn says he expects the United States will impose duties of at least 25 per cent in mid-2017 and that will put pressure on Canadian producers. Read more...
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USDA ANSWERS QUESTIONS ABOUT RESOLUTE CASE
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has released a " Frequently Asked Questions" document discussing the agency's court case with Resolute Forest Products.
The document states that a process is being initiated to revise the time frame for a referendum on the Softwood Lumber Check-off program from five to seven years. Prior to that vote, USDA may conduct what it calls a rule-making, with opportunity for public comment, to address the 15 million board feet threshold for exemptions from assessments under the program. That threshold is at the heart of the court case. Read more...
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petition filed for yet another ESA listing
BIRMINGHAM, Ala.— The Center for Biological Diversity and Cahaba Riverkeeper filed a formal petition recently to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service seeking protection for oblong rocksnails under the Endangered Species Act. The oblong rocksnail is a freshwater, nickel-sized snail with a characteristic three-banded shell and black-and-yellow-striped soft body. This species, found only in the Cahaba River in Alabama, was thought to be extinct for 70 years until it was rediscovered in 2011. PHOTO: The oblong rocksnail in Alabama, 12 years after it was declared extinct. Thomas Tarpley. Read more...
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BLACK BEAR INVADES OPELIKA, CAPTURED BY AUTHORITIES!
OPELIKA, AL – Opelika police and Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources  officers captured a black bear that was spotted on Wednesday in Opelika and relocated it to the wild.
The bear was spotted and captured near Vero Court in Opelika. It had been shot earlier with a tranquilizer dart and wildlife experts successfully transferred the bear to a safe location.
If you spot a bear you can report it online at OutdoorAlabama.com. You can also contact the Alabama Game Wardens at (334) 242-3469. PHOTO: Todd Van Emst/tvemst@oanow.com. Read more...
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sunbelt buys alabama treatment plant
BARTOW, FL, June 14, 2016 –Sunbelt Forest  Products of Bartow, Florida has announced the purchase of a pressure treated wood facility in Athens, AL from Georgia-Pacific (GP).
Sunbelt is one of the largest pressure treaters in the Southeast, with plants in Bartow, Florida, Rockledge, Florida, and Louisville, Alabama. The acquisition will increase the company’s manufacturing capabilities to over 600 million board feet of pressure treated wood a year. Read more...
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Americans love paper
USA Today recently featured the results of a Creditcards.com survey and it’s another example of the social benefits of print and paper:
> 54% of American adults receive credit card or checking account statements by mail.
> Loyalty to paper is fierce with 46% saying they would not switch away from paper, even if charged for the statements.
> Many receive both, with 44 to 55% receiving statements both electronically and on paper. Read more...
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Alabama Superintendent of banks Retires
Ending 11 years and 44 days as Alabama’s Superintendent of Banks, John D. Harrison is set to  retire today following a 36 year career in banking.
A native of Selma, Harrison was in the timber business before entering the banking industry. He moved to Luverne in 1968 and owned Glenwood Woodyard. As a local businessman, he was an organizing director in 1980 of the First Citizens Bank in Luverne where he was later named president and CEO in 1983. Read more...
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we still need your Help spreading the word on tcw workshop
The Alabama Teachers Conservation Workshop (TCW) will be held at Auburn University, July 11-14,  2016.
The TCW program focuses on forest ecology, management, and products through guest speakers, field trips, and hands-on activities. Participants are trained in the Project Learning Tree curriculum and receive PLT materials.
Please help us spread the word about this outstanding workshop and encourage teachers in your area to attend. To financially support this effort, contact Ashley Smith (asmith@alaforestry.org). Click here to learn more or register for the event.
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housing continues to improve, year over year
MCLEAN, VA--(Marketwired - Jun 29, 2016) - Freddie Mac today released its  Multi-Indicator Market Index® (MiMi®), showing the spring home buying season staying on course in most areas of the country, with two additional metros -- Charlotte, North Carolina, and Knoxville, Tennessee -- entering their benchmark ranges.
On a year-over-year basis, the national MiMi value has improved +7.37 percent. Since its all-time low in October 2010, the national MiMi has rebounded 42 percent, but remains significantly off from its high of 121.7. Read more...
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SFI releases 2016 progress report
WASHINGTON, DC and OTTAWA, ON — Released today, the 2016 SFI Progress Report – Linking
Future Forests to Communities – tells the story of how responsible forestry is helping improve our shared
quality of life. The 400 different conservation and research projects reported by SFI Program Participants in 2015, up from 291 projects in 2014, is just one of the powerful stories outlined in this year’s report.
These projects, involving more than 500 partner organizations, benefit communities, habitats and multiple species, ranging from woodpeckers and salmon to bears and caribou. Read full release
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Survey: student loan debt preventing millennials from buying a home
According to a survey by the National Association of Realtors, student loan debt by young Americans is  holding them back from purchasing a home.
Among other findings, the survey shows that 46% of young millennials polled currently live with family, some paying rent and some not.
View infographic on poll |
prescribed fire training sessions set for 2016
Alabama Certified Prescribed Burn Manager certification courses and re-certification workshops have been set for July, August and September. Read more... |
plm opportunities in alabama
Now is a GREAT time to earn PLM continuing education hours. Forestry field days and indoor course opportunities are listed on the AFA Calendar.
Get more info at: http://www.alaforestry.org/events/event_list.asp. New opportunities are constantly being added so check back often.
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DON'T FORGET ABOUT FORESTRY BOOKS
We now have two books that you can use to learn more about forestland management and the history of the  forest products industry in Alabama. These books make outstanding gifts for birthdays, Christmas and any other gift-giving purpose. The book on the left, Green Gold: Alabama's Forests and Forest Industries, provides the first comprehensive history of forestry in Alabama, from when the Indians cleared forests for agriculture to the modern era.
The book on the right, Managing Forests on Private Lands in Alabama and the Southeast, is probably the best book every produced on managing forests for timber production and for preserving water and wildlife resources.
If you are interested in owning either or both of these books, contact Liz Chambers at (334) 481-2135 or lchambers@alaforestry.org.
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