Today Governor Mike Dunleavy signed SB 87 into law, establishing a lumber grading training program for sawmill operators in Alaska. The lumber grading program will help local sawmills get their product to market and reduce Alaska’s dependence on lumber shipped in from Canada and the Lower 48 for residential construction. “The timber industry is an integral part of Alaska’s history. This lumber grading program will help shape the timber industry for Alaskan small businesses to allow them to thrive now and in the future,” said Governor Mike Dunleavy. “This law is critical to implement the state’s local construction lumber program as we continue to grow Alaska’s timber industry,” said Department of Natural Resources Commissioner John Boyle. “I want to thank Senator Bjorkman, Representative Sumner, and the other legislators who agreed with DNR on the importance of training sawmill operators locally to grade quality Alaskan lumber – creating jobs, lowering construction costs, and solving supply chain issues.”

Additional coverage in Alaska’s News Source by Carly Schreck: New law helps develop local wood milling, logging industry