 2 great days at the forest products expoMFPC staff and board members had a lot of fun interacting with a steady stream of people at the 2013 Northeastern Forest Products Equipment Expo in Bangor. Trucks allowed on state highways can now travel on interstateRules and regulations went into effect recently permitting truck configurations legally allowed on Maine state highways to operate on interstate highways in Maine during the period that the federal 100,000-pound pilot project is in effect. FRA names Comstock Woodlands nation's outstanding loggerThanks to its never-say-can’t culture, Comstock Woodlands of Hampden was named the 2013 National Outstanding Logger by the Forest Resources Association at its Annual Awards Banquet in Jacksonville, Fla. Sign up for the MFPC golf tournament!You don't want to miss this opportunity to have fun and catch up with your friends. Please join us at at the Bangor Municipal Golf Course on July 18. Strauch describes NRN merger plan“We wanted to make sense out of all the functions of the agriculture, conservation and forestry,” Strauch told the ACF Committee. “There is a Bureau of Agriculture, Bureau of Forestry, Bureau of Parks and Lands, and Bureau of Resource Information and Planning. “We thought those were logical compartments that maintained the integrity of the individual focuses of expertise and also brought them together in a different way so we could match up the synergies.” Where have all the loggers gone?The whole industry wrings its hands, in Maine and across the nation. The story is the same, the older generation is retiring and new entrants to the business are scarce as crosscut saws. Luckily, as the logging force gets smaller productivity gains have picked up much of the slack. But that luck won’t last forever, it’s finite and every mill owner or manager has to ask themselves daily, “How am I going to log my mill when ... Logging is 'a lot harder than it looks'Chad Bamford found out something that many have discovered before him: Logging is "a lot harder than it looks," even, or perhaps especially, with high-tech equipment. Fortunately, Chad, a senior at Foster Technology Center in Farmington, didn’t have to get his first experience on equipment that cost $500,000. Thanks to Sen. Tom Saviello, R-Franklin, ReEnergy and Nortrax, students from Foster Tech, Mt. Blue High, Spruce Mountain, Rangeley and Mt. Abram had a chance to operate simulators that allowed them to ... The Forests of MaineMaine’s forests are essential to the quality of life that Mainers cherish. Forests provide clean water and air, crucial habitat for wildlife and great recreation opportunities. “Undeniably, what sets Maine apart from the rest of the country — and the major reasons that Maine’s forests remain largely intact and healthy — are the diversity of markets that Maine’s forestland owners have and the ability of forest-based industries to adapt, strengthen and diversify those markets.” –Keeping Maine’s Forest-Based Economy Why you should join MFPCMFPC stays on top of legislative and regulatory initiatives affecting Maine’s forest products industry by: • Working with policy makers to enhance Maine’s business climate for our members. • Creating important policy dialogue among members. • Conducting outreach efforts to inform the public about Maine’s forest products industry. • Helping members stay informed on the industry in Maine and beyond. • Providing opportunities for fun, fellowship and networking with industry and political leaders. Governor's RoundtableThe major topic of discussion at Gov. Paul LePage’s roundtable with MFPC members might strike some as surprising. It wasn’t manufacturing, bills or even taxes. It was how to reach Maine’s young people. The governor spoke strongly in favor of internships, apprenticeships and more technical education at the community colleges. |
About MFPCThe Maine Forest Products Council represents the diverse needs of Maine’s forest products community. Our members are landowners, loggers, truckers, paper mills, tree farmers, foresters and lumber processors, but they are also bankers, lawyers and insurance executives. We feel we represent anyone who has an interest in seeing the Maine woods remain a viable, sustainable resource. We serve our community by gathering information, bringing groups together to discuss concerns, hosting events, conducting tours and helping people find common ground. We represent our members at the Maine Legislature, but also across the state, in Washington D.C. and across the nation. The MFPC Board is very active, and holds weekly policy teleconferences during the session to discuss legislation of interest and arrive at a position. MFPC policy positions for the 126th Legislature
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Video: MFPC members featured in Lumber and SonsThe Robbins and Brochu families are among those who talk about their family-owned sawmills, but they’re also telling the story of the lumber industry in this excellent five-minute movie. Read more.
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ACF merger bill survives another committee voteSupport for the ACF merger stood firm this week, although it was certainly tested when Commissioner Walt Whitcomb told the ACF Committee that they needed to include five new positions in the amendment to LD 837.
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Calendar of EventsMFPC Annual Golf TournamentWhen: Thu July 18 1:00 PM - 7:00 PM MFPC Annual Meeting at SugarloafWhen: Sun September 8 1:00 AM - Mon September 9 9:00 AM
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2nd community guided planning meeting heldThe second meeting of the steering committee for Aroostook’s community guided planning and zoning project was held May 14. The Land Use Planning Commission initiated Community Guided Planning and Zoning (CGPZ), which must be locally desired and driven, allow for broad participation, address property owner equity, balance regional uniqueness with jurisdiction-wide consistency and be consistent with LUPC’s purpose, scope and rezoning criteria. Aroostook County, with the Northern Maine Development Commission (as lead and the county as partner), was selected in February as the initial region to participate. Read more.
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Comstock nation’s outstanding logger Bouchard Thanks to its never-say-can’t culture, Comstock was named the 2013 National Outstanding Logger by the Forest Resources Association. “I am very proud that our employees efforts has allowed them to receive national recognition,” Comstock President Brian Bouchard said Monday. “They truly deserve this recognition!” Read more. |
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Chainsaw Marching Band
Your help is needed as we advocate for the Maine forest products industry. Find out about the Chainsaw Marching Band and sign up to receive more information and learn how you can get involved. |
