The American Loggers Council, the largest national timber
industry association in the U.S., has entered into an historic
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with USDA Forest Service. This
MOU formalizes future collaboration and recognizes common areas of
mutual benefit.
WASHINGTON, May 21, 2024
/PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- The American Loggers Council, the largest
national timber industry association in the U.S., has entered
into an historic Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with USDA Forest
Service. This MOU formalizes future collaboration and recognizes
common areas of mutual benefit.
"Loggers are on the front line every day,
contributing directly to the health of the nation's forests," said
Forest Service Chief Randy Moore.
The MOU highlights the vital role and services that the timber
industry has in supporting the Forest Service objectives of
managing the national forests; along with the role that the Forest
Service has in supporting America's timber industry and the
resource they provide for the essential wood products society
depends upon daily.
"Loggers are on the front line every day, contributing directly
to the health of the nation's forests," said Forest Service Chief
Randy Moore. "Sustainably sourcing wood supports critical forest
management activities that reduce the risk of catastrophic
wildfires and make our forests healthier, while also creating jobs
and strengthening local economies. This memorandum builds on our
partnership with loggers to improve the health of the nation's
forests."
There are many challenges threatening the future and health of
the timber and forest products industries and the nation's forests.
The solution to addressing these challenges and threats is
collaboration and cooperation between the timber industry, the
forest products industry, and public forest managers. Each entity
shares a common objective – healthy forests. The timber and forest
products sector provide the tools and markets to enable;
sustainable forest management practices; mitigate wildfire impacts;
improve forest health; reduce disease and infestation; improve
carbon sequestration; create rural employment; and support
communities.
However, these goals and objectives require a concerted effort
between the public and private sectors. All are dependent upon the
other, and none can succeed without the other. This MOU formally
recognizes a commitment to working together to sustain the critical
infrastructure and the forests.
The American Loggers Council and the Forest Service have a
history of collaboration and cooperation in areas of mutual
interest and benefit. Examples include:
- the $200
million Pandemic Assistance for Timber Harvesters and
Haulers (PATHH) program;
- the $10
million Biomass Transportation Incentive Project
(BTIP);
- and the $200,000 timber industry Public Image and
Workforce Development Campaign.
Mike Albrecht, President of the
American Loggers Council, emphasized "America's loggers are the
"boots on the ground" providing essential wood products while
helping to protect and restore our forests to their fullest
potential. We cannot do our job without a strong working
relationship with the United States Forest Service. This memorandum
will serve to strengthen that relationship as we focus on our
common goals of healthy forests coupled with a healthy timber
industry."
Media Contact
Scott, American Loggers Council, 2026276961,
scott@amloggers.com, www.amloggers.com
Kevin Smith, American Loggers
Council, 2026276961, kevin@amloggers.com, www.amloggers.
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SOURCE American Loggers Council