Region Archives: US East

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Forest Fires

South Carolina paper mill with stinking past also had toxic mercury discharges

YORK COUNTY — South Carolina’s New Indy paper mill… releases more of a powerful neurotoxin into the air than any other major paper plant in the country, a new report says. The amount of mercury leaving New Indy’s York County plant is detailed in a study that examines air pollution at the nation’s largest 185 paper and pulp mills. A major finding is that many paper mills aren’t fully reporting the amount of greenhouse gases they release into the air because of a loophole in federal law. The report says they are burning fuels that release too much air pollution. But the report also provides insight about the discharge of mercury. The study, conducted by the Environmental Integrity Project, calls New Indy’s plant “the worst polluter in the nation’’ for mercury at paper mills, as well as for zinc, another type of metallic waste.

Tallest mass timber academic building on the East Coast completed for UPenn

The University of Pennsylvania has announced the completion of Amy Gutmann Hall, a six-story, 116,000-square-foot facility for data science and artificial intelligence programs. Designed by Lake|Flato Architects in collaboration with KSS Architects, the building is the tallest mass timber academic structure on the East Coast. Named in honor of the university’s longest-serving president, the building was designed as a hub for cross-disciplinary collaboration in emerging technological fields. The design approach sought to reflect a dual commitment to innovation and sustainability, incorporating biophilic design principles and advanced building systems. The scheme is constructed through a mass timber structural system, which contributes to a significant reduction in the building’s embodied carbon: 52% less than a concrete structure and 41% less than a steel equivalent, according to the project team. Exposed timber, natural wood finishes, and daylight-optimized layouts are used throughout the interior to support user well-being and a connection to nature.

Exports of Southern Pine lumber fell 12% in Q1, 2025 compared to Q1, 2024

Q1 2025 exports of Southern Pine lumber (treated and untreated) were 12% behind the same quarter in 2024 at 122 MMBF, but up 2% over the fourth quarter of 2024. On a monthly basis, Southern Pine lumber exports were down 20% in March over March 2024 but up 4.6% over February 2025. When looking at the report by dollar value, Southern Pine exports are down 7% to $50 million in the first quarter of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024, but down 17% over the fourth quarter of 2024. Mexico led the way at $13.2 million, followed by the Dominican Republic at $10.4 million, and Canada at $4.3 million. The total global value in March hit a six-month high of $18 million. Treated lumber exports, meanwhile, were down 19% compared to the first quarter of 2024 at $28 million and down 6% over the fourth quarter of 2024.

Lush nature preserve near Lake Michigan added to nationwide roster of old forests

Thousands of acres of deep-woods habitats at Arcadia Dunes are now part of a nationwide network of current and future old-growth forests. The wooded areas at the C.S. Mott Nature Preserve in Benzie County this week became the latest place in Michigan to be inducted into the Old-Growth Forest Network, which now includes more than 270 permanently protected forests nationwide. The forest near the Lake Michigan shoreline boasts unique microclimates teeming with old beech and hemlock trees, spring wildflowers, and rare native plants. Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy hosted a two-mile hike Wednesday, May 21, along the preserve’s Dryhill Trail Chestnut Loop to celebrate the northern mesic forest being added to the nationwide old-growth roster. The nature preserve is the conservancy’s largest and includes a mix of secondary hardwoods, coastal dunes, and open fields around old farmland and pastures.

Protecting Maine’s forests from spruce budworm takes all of us

…Today, populations of spruce budworm are once again building, slowly but surely, on hundreds of thousands of acres in northern Maine. The good news is, we’re not starting from scratch, and we’re not waiting to intervene. This spring, a coalition of forestry stakeholders, including landowners, scientists, industry partners, and state and federal government agencies, is taking a science-based approach to spruce budworm management through the Early Intervention Strategy. Approximately 240,000 acres of budding budworm populations will be treated with narrowly targeted insecticides in late May and early June. …This year’s treatment blocks were selected months in advance and supported by research, monitoring, ownership and forest composition data. …We also invite landowners to take advantage of the vast number of resources on sprucebudwormmaine.org.

Supporting reforestation after Carbon County Packerton fire

Jim Thorpe – Pennsylvania — It was a sight like no other, last month, smoke clouded the air as a wildfire spread on Bear Mountain in Jim Thorpe. The fire burned 500 acres in what the Department of Environmental and Natural Resources called the Packerton fire. “We are really still evaluating; it’s probably still too early to tell. Certainly, some trees got killed in that process, and we are still evaluating how extensive the damage was, explained Seth Cassell, Director of the Bureau of Forestry with DCNR.  On Arbor Day, DCNR launched an online donation drive for communities impacted by wildfires. … Officials with DCNR say there are several types of trees that make up the forests of Carbon County. “Where the fire was, there is often pine trees, oak trees, we see a lot of chestnut oak trees in those areas, and some of those trees are there because of repeat fires in those areas.”

More trees in Wayne National Forest to be cut after executive order

COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Trump administration wants to increase harvesting in the more than 100 million acres of national forests and is targeting Ohio’s only national forest as part of the effort. Ohio is home to the Wayne National Forest — nearly 244,000 acres with three non-contiguous tracts near Athens, Marietta and Ironton. The Wayne is teeming with life this time of year with thousands of species of plant life and dozens of mammals, birds and fish calling the quarter of a million acres of forest home. President Donald Trump wants to expand American timber production in the nation’s national forests by 25%. A March executive order said cutting more trees will boost the construction and energy industries and also improve forest management to reduce wildfire risk. …The Trump administration hopes the executive order will jumpstart the nation’s lumber industry. Some in the industry are skeptical of how much this could help in the long run.

Antigo school’s first-in-the-nation training sawmill readies students for lumber industry

A newly opened commercial-scale sawmill in Antigo is the only training sawmill of its kind in the U.S. The sawmill at Northcentral Technical College’s Antigo campus will be a teaching tool for northern Wisconsin students and members of the lumber industry. It’s part of the school’s wood sciences program, and was funded by about $4.5 million out of an $8 million state Workforce Innovation Grant to the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point’s Wisconsin Forestry Center. That grant is meant to provide career training that will help address worker shortages in the lumber industry. …In addition to the eight students enrolled full-time in the program for the fall, wood sciences program director Logan Wells leads certificate programs and continuing education courses for industry professionals looking to sharpen their skills or gain experience with new technology. About 100 students per year come through those programs.

Weyerhaeuser Acquiring High-Quality Timberlands in North Carolina and Virginia

Weyerhaeuser announced an agreement to acquire approximately 117,000 acres of high-quality timberlands in North Carolina and Virginia from Roanoke Timberlands, a subsidiary of Roseburg Forest Products, for $375 million. Comprised of mature, highly productive timberlands, the acreage will be well-integrated with existing Weyerhaeuser timberland and mill operations in North Carolina, will expand the company’s footprint into attractive markets in southeastern Virginia and will offer substantial alternative value opportunities. …Mature planted pine age class expected to produce an average annual harvest of 7.4 tons per acre (or 860,000 tons) over the first five years. …The acquisition is expected to close in the third quarter and is subject to customary closing conditions. …When the acquisition is complete, Weyerhaeuser will own or manage approximately 744,000 acres of timberlands in North Carolina and 150,000 acres in Virginia — employing more than 600 people across the two states.

U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities releases 2024 Annual Report

GREENVILLE , SC — The U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities released its 2024 Annual Report. The report highlights a year of expanded reach with $29.1 million awarded across 109 projects in 30 states and Washington, D.C., through innovative programs that strengthen the links between healthy forests, resilient communities and sustainable markets. The report details the Endowment’s sharpened focus on transformative initiatives, including the launch of an impact investing program, advancements in forest carbon transparency and streamlined market access for domestic wood fibers. “2024 was a pivotal year where we not only supported critical projects but also invested in scalable, sustainable solutions,” said Pete Madden, president and CEO of the Endowment. “By magnifying the connections between working forests, strong markets and vibrant communities, we are helping to drive systemic change across the forestry sector.”

Wood paneling manufacturer pledges $250M investment, 300 jobs in rural South Carolina

A German wood paneling maker plans to open a $250 million manufacturing plant in South Carolina’s rural Clarendon County. Homanit announced Wednesday it will build its first United States manufacturing facility on 140 acres near the small community of Alcolu — population 425. The company pledged to employ 300 people in the area located off Interstate 95, about 40 miles north of its intersection with I-26. “This investment marks a significant milestone for our company, and we’re proud to become part of such a vibrant and forward-looking region,” Homanit Managing Director Fritz Homann said in a statement. “The area’s skilled workforce, strategic location and strong infrastructure make Clarendon County the ideal foundation for our next phase of growth in North America.” The announcement marks the largest single investment in Clarendon County economic development history, according to Central SC Alliance President Jason Giulietti.

Registration Now Open for Forest Products EXPO 2025

Haven’t been to the Forest Products Machinery & Equipment EXPO before, or if you have, has it been a while? You’re missing out! But you can change that now that registration and housing reservations in the official hotel block for the 38th Forest Products Machinery & Equipment Exposition (EXPO 2025), presented by the Southern Forest Products Association, are now open! The three-day biannual tradeshow, to be held August 6-8, 2025, at the Music City Center in Nashville, will provide you with solutions for nearly every stage of manufacturing for softwood and hardwood operations. From raw material handling to crane operations; metal detection and scanning technologies; log optimization, drying, grading, sorting, packaging, and distribution, there’s an exhibiting company representative on site to explore these solutions with you face to face. EXPO 2025 will be one of the best yet with: 220+ exhibitors from 34 states and 9 countries showcasing products from 168 different categories across nearly 60,000 square feet.

White House’s approach to tariffs may bring serious consequences for American hardwoods

PENNSYLVANIA — As a result of the Trump Administration’s reckless tariff policies, America’s hardwood industry has faced a range of consequences, including lost revenues, cancelled orders and the high costs of diverting shipments already in route to China. The 125% tariffs that China applied to U.S. imports in response to the staggering 145% tariffs that the Trump administration placed on Chinese goods on April 2 jolted hardwood producers. …For now, the trade war between United States and China has simmered, with tariffs rates on American exports to China now set at 10%. Still, there is much at stake for America’s hardwood producers. In Pennsylvania, which is the nation’s leading producer of hardwood lumber… the forest-products industry employs over 60,000 people and has a $21.8 billion direct impact and a $39.1 billion indirect impact on the state economy. The livelihoods of foresters, loggers, sawyers, material handlers, lumber graders and many more well-paying jobs hang in the balance. 

Georgia offers carbon credits for mass timber projects. How it works.

Georgia is the first state in the nation to create a carbon registry program that rewards sustainable building practices with carbon credits, with goals to boost both the state’s environment and economy equally. And while only one building project has made it to the registry since the program started, those who helped start the program are confident more developments in the Peach State will start taking advantage of the program soon. The Georgia Carbon Sequestration Registry, first developed in 2008, was originally created to help landowners certify the carbon stored in their forests. But as Georgia kept rapidly growing, lawmakers saw an opportunity to expand the registry’s impact, changing it to allow for financial incentive for constructing developments with mass timber. In 2021, legislation passed that gave the Georgia Forestry Commission a year to write the protocol for the amended carbon registry.

International Paper closes Texas plants, cuts 117 jobs

EDINBURG, Texas — International Paper recently said it was shuttering two Texas facilities and laying off 117 workers as it restructures its presence along the US-Mexico border. The company is closing two production facilities in Edinburg, Texas, one that manufactures containers and another that makes paper sheets. The sheet plant will be converted into a warehouse. While the company is closing two production plants in Edinburg, it is investing more funds at a nearby facility in McAllen, Texas, as well as a plant across the border in Reynosa, Mexico, officials said. “There are 117 positions impacted; however the expansion at McAllen will create 40 new hourly positions to be filled,” International Paper said. “The company will assist employees and customers through this transition.” …Since October, International Paper has laid off over 2,500 employees and closed facilities in Arizona, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Louisiana, South Carolina, North Carolina, Missouri, Tennessee and Texas.

Michigan State University researcher receives $500K grant to study tree species suited to future Michigan climates

EAST LANSING, Mich. — A Michigan State University researcher has received a $500,000 grant from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to explore assisted tree migration as a way to protect the future productivity of Michigan forests. …The project is led by Jeremy Johnson, an assistant professor of forest genetics in the MSU Department of Forestry. He said that many of Michigan’s most important tree species, such as red pine, are at the southern end of their native ranges. As temperatures increase and precipitation becomes more unpredictable, these species may struggle to adjust. …Johnson and his team will monitor how climate and soil type affect tree growth using a common garden model in which several tree species are grown together under the same conditions. Six conifer species and American Chestnut were identified for planting at nine common gardens across Michigan. In the seed collection process, 50 families will be represented for each species.

First-ever National Forest biomass risk assessment receives interim approval.

The first-ever Regional Risk Assessment (RRA) for National Forest System lands under the Sustainable Biomass Program (SBP) has been completed and approved for use by biomass producers, providing a comprehensive framework for sustainable biomass sourcing across all forests administered by the USDA Forest Service (USFS) in the contiguous U.S.  

 SBP-endorsed RRAs are crucial for identifying and mitigating risks associated with the sustainable sourcing of feedstock for biomass and woodchip production, opening significant opportunities in markets with strict sustainability requirements, such as Europe and Asia. By expanding access to these markets, this interim risk assessment provides a unique opportunity that balances conservation goals with economic and renewable energy development. 

 Typically, RRAs analyze specific geographic regions, provinces or states. This RRA is unique in that it took the innovative approach of considering the vast and unique network of National Forests in the United States as one region, providing a targeted and specific review.   

 “Sourcing biomass under the SBP requires documentation to demonstrate sustainability, and this risk assessment of U.S. National Forests delivers the most detailed, science-backed framework to date,” said Alicia Cramer, chief operating officer at the U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities. “This assessment will expand market opportunities for sustainably sourced biomass while supporting fire resilience, conservation efforts and local economies.” 

“Access to biomass markets for National Forest timber sales and stewardship projects support the Forest Service goals to increase the pace and scale of active forest management,” says Steve Lohr, natural resource director with the USFS. “This assessment will be critical to support rural economies that rely on timber from National Forests.” 

With the completion of this assessment, the Endowment will move forward with the commitment to advance the benefits of sustainable forestry, support rural communities and promote responsible biomass use across the United States. 

 

About the U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities: 
The U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities is a not-for-profit public charity collaborating with partners in the public and private sectors to advance systemic, transformative, and sustainable change for the health and vitality of the nation’s working forests and forest-reliant communities. To learn more about the Endowment, please visit our website at www.usendowment.org.  

How a worm perpetuated wildfires in northern Minnesota

Wildfires are burning through thousands of acres of forest in Northern Minnesota damaging buildings and forcing residents to evacuate their homes. The yet-to-be-contained Camp House fire, Jenkins Creek fire and Munger Shaw fire have a small accomplice to thank for their continued destruction: spruce budworms, a well-known pest that has terrorized Minnesota forests for at least half a century, killing trees and making them more susceptible to fire. The fires’ other helper? Humans. “Spruce budworm’s largest impact, in my opinion, is that it can help perpetuate dense stands of balsam fir on the landscape that are fire prone,” said Mike Reinikainen, a silviculture program consultant with the state’s Department of Natural Resources’ forestry division. Much of the area was infected by spruce budworms, whose infestations worsened the Greenwood fire near Isabella, Minn. in 2021.

Southern Forest Products Association Announces 2024 Sawmill Safety Award Recipients

The Southern Forest Products Association has announced the recipients of the John Edgar Rhodes 2024 Sawmill Safety Excellence Awards. The SFPA Safety Awards embody the impact, dedication, and legacy of the Association’s founding leader, John Edgar Rhodes. The seven award recipients represent a record of 1,883,749 total hours worked among 757 employees – achieving safety excellence with zero reported incidents. This is the fourth year in a row where at least seven member mills reported zero incidents. SFPA Lumber Manufacturer members are considered for the award based on standardized information submitted using OSHA Form 300A – the Summary of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses. This form offers a yearly snapshot of workplace safety by reporting the number of work-related injuries and illnesses at each facility. Awards are presented in three divisions, and safety performance is judged by how each mill’s safety record stacks up against facilities with comparable lumber output throughout the year.

Georgia-Pacific to Shut Down Cedar Springs Mill in 2025

Georgia-Pacific has announced it will permanently close its Cedar Springs containerboard mill in Georgia later this year, impacting approximately 535 employees. The company informed workers on May 14 that most positions at the site will be eliminated by August 1, 2025, with all roles eventually affected. While production will continue temporarily to meet existing customer commitments, the mill’s operations are set to wind down in the coming months. Georgia-Pacific cited multiple factors behind the decision, emphasizing that the mill could no longer competitively serve its customers in the long term. The company stressed that the closure is not a reflection of the employees’ performance. “Our focus now is to operate safely and support our employees through this transition,” the company stated, pledging to treat all affected workers with “dignity and respect.”

Zinke and Neguse Introduce Bill to Extend Successful Forest Management Program

Washington, D.C. – Today, Representatives Ryan Zinke (R-MT-01) and Joe Neguse (D-CO-02) introduced the Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration (CFLR) Program Reauthorization Act of 2025, which would extend and expand a successful program focused on reducing wildfire risk, restoring forest health, and supporting rural economies through proven, locally driven strategies. Senators Mike Crapo (R-ID) and Jeff Merkley (D-OR) introduced companion legislation in the Senate. Originally authorized in 2009, the CFLR program is a model of how communities, industry partners, landowners, and local governments can work together to improve forest conditions and prevent catastrophic wildfires. In its first decade, CFLR projects treated and restored 5.7 million acres of forest, improved 1,000 miles of trails, and maintained over 25,000 miles of forest roads helping keep public lands open and safe.

Michigan Department of Natural resources marks mass timber milestone with Newberry building

The newly opened DNR Customer Service Center in Newberry is more than just another new structure. It happens to be Michigan’s first mass timber building built with Michigan wood.  The 10,000-square-foot building was constructed with cross-laminated panels made with Michigan red pine, marking a significant step forward in sustainable construction in the Great Lakes State. According to Michigan State University’s College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, “Mass timber buildings are cropping up across North America, along with factories that manufacture these versatile, sustainable, engineered wood building materials. That’s because mass timber offers a compelling suite of benefits.” Those include progress toward forest health management goals, rural economic development and new opportunities in manufacturing.

3 wildfires continue raging in northeastern Minnesota; 20K acres burnt so far

Crews continue to battle three wildfires on Tuesday in northeastern Minnesota, all with zero containment. St. Louis County Sheriff Gordon Ramsay says the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and the U.S. Forest Service expect Tuesday to be another “heavy fire day” with more “dangerous conditions.” Leanne Langeberg with the Minnesota Interagency Fire Center said since Sunday, crews have responded to about 80 wildfires across the state amid “uncommonly dry fuels and warm temperatures” from a multi-day stretch of red flag conditions. On Monday, Gov. Tim Walz activated the Minnesota National Guard, which will use its Chinook and Black Hawk helicopters to aid in the fire fight. …The governor says the state typically sees just more than 1,100 wildfires a year on more than 37,000 acres, but 970 have already happened in 2025 — with 40 each on Sunday and Monday.

New York city borough plans 500 mass timber housing units

New York City Mayor Eric Adams and New York City Economic Development Corporation’s Andrew Kimball announced that Artimus and Phoenix Realty Group have been selected to build over 500 new mixed-income housing units along the waterfront on the north shore of Staten Island, with a quarter of the new units set aside for affordable housing. The development will be the largest mass timber residential project in New York City… advancing commitments in Mayor Adams’ “Green Economy Action Plan,” a roadmap to grow the city’s green economy, invests in jobs and sectors that help the city combat climate change, and positions New Yorkers to benefit from the nearly 400,000 projected “green-collar” jobs in New York City by 2040. Mayor Adams… “We are not only building the affordable homes New Yorkers need but using sustainable materials to reduce our carbon footprint and help turn New York City’s waterways into the ‘Harbor of the Future.’”

Project uses tree rings to determine age of historic Atlanta buildings

A metro Atlanta nonprofit is teaming up with college students to find the exact age of historic buildings using a unique area of study. While historical documents may say a building was constructed in a certain year, the wood used to create the structure could tell us a different story. Cobb Landmarks is using dendrochronology — the study of tree rings — to pinpoint when wood for metro Atlanta buildings was harvested for construction. Trevor Beemon, Cobb Landmarks’ executive director, said they are partnering with University of West Georgia students who, under the guidance of two professors, will take 12 to 15 samples from structures around metro Atlanta. …The partnership is “really the one chance” South Downtown has to learn about these buildings before they are redeveloped, Capps said. 

Sterling Solutions Announces Mass Timber Shaft Wall System

PHOENIX, Ill. — Sterling Structural, a leading manufacturer of cost-effective, pre-fabricated mass timber and hybrid structural systems in North America, announced a modular Shaft Wall System for new construction. The system supports all major elevator manufacturers or egress stair designs and enables builders to save time and cost from elevator wall shafts without sacrificing fire safety or structural integrity, all while reducing embodied carbon compared to concrete or masonry shaft walls. The new system features pre-fabricated Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT) panels for shaft walls—and, in some cases, roofs—along with coordinated connection details and all necessary hardware. Sterling’s project management team coordinates deliveries, sequencing panels for easy installation, whether the project uses platform or balloon framing.

Vermont woodworking school opens 8-week program

Vermont — HatchSpace is pleased to launch From Forest to Woodshop, an 8-week, full-time, 300-hour intensive program in wood furniture and products innovation, beginning in September of 2025. Rooted in an integrated approach of study from forest to woodshop, the immersive program offers participants the opportunity to study wood as a material, as well as methods of manipulation that support furniture and product design through sourcing, designing, drawing, cutting, sawing, joining, bending, and glueing. The perfect gap year experience or career-changing accelerator… The program will be delivered from HatchSpace’s expansive woodworking facility in downtown Brattleboro, a region surrounded by some of the world’s finest hardwood forests. Students benefit from a geography well positioned to gain an understanding of the interconnected field of sustainable forestry and its impacts on wood furniture and products innovation. Students will benefit from a wide-ranging team of more than nine experienced and award-winning woodworker educators.

West Fraser General Manager retires after 51 years

HENDERSON, Texas — Henderson’s West Fraser recently celebrated the long-deserved retirement of their General Manager, Raymond Mitchell, after 51 hard-working years with the still-growing company. The company threw a blow-out bash for Mitchell. Local officials, current and former employees, and West Fraser upper management gathered on the expanded facility to celebrate Mitchell and his many accomplishments throughout his time with the company. Mitchell started his decades long tenure in the lumber industry at the ripe age of 19. He has held the title of Mill Manager since 1999.

New York City announces 500-unit waterfront housing development for Staten Island’s North Shore

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — New York City officials marked their latest ceremonial groundbreaking for a $400 million public investment along the North Shore waterfront. …When underway, officials say the project will be the largest mass-timber construction in the five boroughs with the Stapleton project using wood-based building materials for much of its interior. Mass timber developments, which proponents say bring lower carbon footprints and reduced construction times, have caught on in recent years, including at the Portland International Airport in Oregon. Momo Sun — regional director for Woodworks, a non-profit that advocates for mass timber developments and works with the city Economic Development Corporation — said the wood materials meet the same construction and fire requirements as any other material.

St. Paul must take action to avoid harming forest-products industry

Last year, Minnesota passed an extended producer responsibility (EPR) framework with the intent to improve recycling in the North Star state. Yet, in their haste, lawmakers inadvertently put good-paying manufacturing jobs tied to the production and recycling of paper products at risk. Thankfully, lawmakers have an opportunity to change course and make alterations to the state’s EPR law that will both improve recycling infrastructure and support a U.S. forest-products industry that is a significant driver of Minnesota’s economy. Forest products are the fifth-largest industry in the state and the industry generates over $205 million in state and local taxes … Minnesota’s EPR program risks targeting the raw materials used to make paper products, not the actual paper and paper packaging that we put in our recycling bins. …By focusing the EPR law on the actual residential recycling stream and protecting high-performing commercial systems, we can build a policy that works with workers, not against them.

Georgia Governor signs major hurricane relief package

FORSYTH, Georgia — Gov. Brian Kemp signed landmark legislation Thursday at the Georgia Forestry Association (GFA) headquarters delivering urgently needed relief to forest landowners and rural communities impacted by Hurricane Helene — a storm that caused more than $1.28 billion in timber losses across Georgia’s most productive forestlands. The legislation, passed with strong bipartisan support, delivers both immediate recovery tools and long-term support to ensure Georgia’s forestry sector can recover, replant, and remain a pillar of the state’s economy, the GFA said. …The package includes: — A refundable reforestation tax credit for planting and restoration efforts. — A state income tax exemption for federal disaster aid. — A sales tax exemption for certain farm rebuilding materials. — Ad valorem harvest tax relief for landowners in affected counties — paired with state reimbursements to protect local government budgets. These measures mirror the real-world needs voiced by landowners, loggers, and mills.

Related news by Associated Press: Federal officials set timeline for Helene aid to farmers

Trump-supporting timber business owner struggles as tariffs disrupt trade

An American timber business owner who supports Donald Trump is grappling with unsold inventory and shrinking cash flow due to the ongoing trade war, as Washington’s punitive tariffs weigh heavily on his operations and push him to seek alternatives to the Chinese market. Brandon Arbogast, the owner of Valley Log Sales in Timberville, Virginia, has spent decades in the lumber industry, exporting premium Virginia timber, primarily to China. …Sitting on 120,000 to 130,000 U.S. dollars’ worth of unsold wood, Arbogast is contemplating selling some of his land to maintain cash flow. …As a self-identified Trump supporter, Arbogast is willing to endure the hardship, hoping that a resolution to the trade dispute will eventually bring relief. For now, his premium walnut logs, which are typically transformed into furniture, flooring, and kitchen cabinets, remain idle.

International Paper to close two Texas facilities

MEMPHIS, Tennessee — International Paper announced the consolidation of its operations in the Rio Grande Valley. …The company will make strategic investments to convert the current Edinburg, Texas sheet plant into a warehouse, invest in its current facility in McAllen, Tex. to increase capabilities and shift its current Reynosa, Mexico operations to a new, more modern and capable facility that is currently under construction in Reynosa. The company will close its box plant and sheet plant in Edinburg, Texas. “The decision to cease operations at our two Edinburg facilities while investing in McAllen and Reynosa allows us to focus our efforts,” said Tom Hamic, Executive VP and President of Packaging Solutions North America.

Georgia Forestry Foundation Mass Timber Accelerator Opens New Application Round

FORSYTH, Georgia — The Georgia Forestry Foundation (GFF), in partnership with the USDA Forest Service and the Softwood Lumber Board, has reopened applications for the Georgia Mass Timber Accelerator. Architecture, engineering and development teams with pending mass timber construction projects are invited to apply by June 20, 2025. The Accelerator continues to support the growth of sustainable development in Georgia by increasing utilization and awareness of mass timber—an innovative locally grown and manufactured building material that reduces emissions, increases construction efficiency and supports rural communities. “The Accelerator is designed to help make mass timber construction more accessible through an injection of funding with expert technical assistance,” said GFF Senior Vice President, Matt Hestad. “Georgia is the number one forestry state in the nation. With abundant, sustainably managed forests, we are uniquely positioned to lead the South in sustainable building innovation.”

Warner & Kaine Introduce Bills to Protect Wilderness in Virginia

WASHINGTON – U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) introduced two bills to protect wilderness in Rockingham, Augusta, Highland, and Bath counties. “We are lucky to have such beautiful natural resources in Virginia, and we need to do more to ensure that these lands are protected for future generations,” said the senators. “We’re proud to introduce this legislation to preserve wilderness in Rockingham, Augusta, Highland, and Bath counties, protect wildlife, and support local economies that depend on tourism and outdoor recreation.” These additions were recommended by the U.S. Forest Service in 2014 and endorsed by members of the George Washington National Forest Stakeholder Collaborative, a group of forest users who work together on acceptable locations in the George Washington National Forest for wilderness, timber harvest, trails, and other uses. In 2023, the tourism economy directly employed 7,562 people and generated $842.5 million in expenditures in [these areas].

Beltrami County approves $137M upgrade plan for West Fraser lumber mill

MINNESOTA — The Beltrami County Work Session held on May 6, 2025… featured discussions on a proposed $137 million investment to upgrade the West Fraser facility, which is crucial for both the mill’s future and the local economy.Jeremy Buck from West Fraser presented plans to modernize the mill, which has been operational since 1981 and still uses much of its original equipment. The proposed renovations aim to enhance energy efficiency and reduce environmental impact, with the potential to preserve approximately 32 direct jobs and support an estimated 500 indirect jobs in the community. The company has applied for assistance from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) through the Job Creation Fund, which requires a resolution of support from the county. …The next steps will involve further discussions on the budget and the resolution to support West Fraser’s investment.

Gov. Whitmer highlights clean energy at Woodchuck Biomass grand opening in Grand Rapids

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Governor Gretchen Whitmer visited Grand Rapids on Thursday to appear at a grand opening for a biomass processing facility. Governor Whitmer, who has made it a priority to make Michigan a climate and innovation leader, delivered remarks at the grand opening of Woodchuck Biomass Processing Facility and AI Innovation Center, saying sustainability and strong economic growth go hand in hand. “Woodchuck is going to take something that we used to treat as trash and put in landfills, wood waste from construction, collection or storm cleanup, and be turning it into a clean source of renewable energy,” Whitmer said. “It is just another example of the exciting, innovative stuff that’s happening across Michigan to create jobs and cut emissions and improve our quality of life.”

Cultural burning by Indigenous peoples increased oak in forests near settlements

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — A debate continues among scientists over whether tree composition in forests in eastern North American historically have been influenced more by climate or by cultural burning, which is the intentional and controlled use of fire by Indigenous people to manage their environment. A new study of southern New England forests … lends credence to the cultural burning hypothesis, suggesting that fire-tolerant vegetation — oak, hickory and pine — were significantly more abundant near Indigenous settlements over the last 5,000 years. “The results of this study strongly suggest that Native Americans extensively use fire and other disturbances such as land clearing for villages, agriculture and trails, and both directly and indirectly promoted fire-adapted trees,” said study co-author Marc Abrams, Penn State professor emeritus. “These trees were very important to the Native American diet because of the mast — nuts and acorns — they produced.”

Sterling Solutions introduces CLT bridge for construction sites

PHOENIX, Ill. — Sterling Solutions, a construction site access provider and a producer of Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) in North America, introduces TerraCross, a temporary bridge made with CLT panels and steel. TerraCross is a fully-engineered system made with structural steel that supports up to 100 tons over clear spans of 50 feet, offering an alternative to field bridging for construction and development projects. Temporary bridges are essential when permanent installations aren’t practical or economically feasible. TerraCross bridges provide an engineered solution to quickly and easily cross small rivers and ditches to enable and maintain seamless transport for equipment, materials, and personnel throughout the duration of a project. Additionally, they can protect underground equipment, such as buried gas or water pipelines by providing an air-bridged crossing, the company states.

Maryland is the sixth US state to pass extended producer responsibility legislation for paper and packaging

MARYLAND — After five years of work and many interim steps, Maryland became the sixth US state to pass extended producer responsibility legislation for paper and packaging, continuing the policy’s evolution in the country. Sent to the governor on April 7, SB 901 would direct a producer responsibility organization to set goals for post-consumer recycled content, recyclability, recycling and reuse rates, source reduction, composting rates and contamination reduction. However, it also builds on newer elements, such as a phased-in approach to reimbursement, seen last year in Minnesota’s law. …The American Forest and Paper Association has called the bill “misguided.” “EPR programs are helpful for materials that don’t have strong end markets or aren’t highly recycled,” the association wrote. “Paper is a highly recycled material with strong end markets.” …Any EPR program must fully and fairly credit our early and voluntary actions to increase recycling in Maryland and across the country.”