Daily News for September 15, 2025

Today’s Takeaway

Court grants injunction to halt logging blockade in Walbran Valley

Tree Frog Forestry News
September 15, 2025
Category: Today's Takeaway

A BC Supreme Court judge granted an injunction against logging protesters in BC’s Walbran Valley. In related news: the First Nation forest company responds; the protesters dig-in, and ENGO’s decry the lack of old-growth protections. Meanwhile: Port Hawkesbury Paper suspends logging in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia; the Na̲nwak̲olas Council celebrates the role of First Nations in forestry; US Forestry Chief lauds active land management; and the Roadless Rule public comment period nears end. Finally, as the EU Deforestation Regulation nears its start, opposition and compliance measures pick up.

In Business news: Derek Nighbor and John Desjarlais recommended policy prescription for Canada’s economy; the diversification challenge for Canada’s softwood lumber producers; Prime Minister Carney’s new housing agency; President Trump’s duty-free list adds wood pulp codes; and USA BioEnergy is transforming an old plywood mill into a biorefinery in Texas. Meanwhile: mass timber is going mainstream in BC; University of Maine researchers turn wood into medicine; and the UK’s Green Paper will transform timber specification.

Finally, it’s See Tracks? Think Train® Week (formerly Rail Safety Week).

Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog News Editor

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Business & Politics

Beyond Tariffs: A Policy Prescription for Bolstering Canada’s Forest Economy

By Derek Nighbor, FPAC and John Desjarlais, Indigenous Resource Network
Policy Magazine
September 15, 2025
Category: Business & Politics
Region: Canada

John Desjarlais

Derek Nighbor

Canada’s forest sector stands at a pivotal moment. And while Prime Minister Mark Carney’s recent softwood lumber support package offers a welcome first step toward stabilizing the sector, more can be done to put Canadian forestry on a permanent and sustainable path to growth. But persistent trade uncertainty — including the increased duties on softwood lumber exports to the U.S. — threatens both the thousands of jobs at risk as trade negotiations continue and Canada’s ability to operate at scale. …Canada must strengthen itself by adopting a streamlined, outcomes-based regulatory framework that leverages provincial standards and reduces unnecessary duplication. …This is not about deregulation; it’s about smarter regulation—an approach that leverages existing systems, reduces duplication, and focuses on outcomes. It aims to do more with less, protect the environment, support forest-dependent communities, ensure Indigenous participation, and bolster Canada’s global competitiveness. Canada’s forest sector needs the regulatory framework to better enable its full potential.

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Can Canada finally sell more of its lumber overseas?

By Adam Radwanski
The Globe and Mail
September 15, 2025
Category: Business & Politics
Region: Canada

Shortly after Prime Minister Carney’s announcement of $500-million to help Canada’s softwood-lumber industry decrease its reliance on the hostile US market, BC’s Forestry Minister offered a modest target of 10%. …History suggests, however, that even that degree of market diversification stands to be an uphill battle. …While there have been modest inroads in China and Japan, diversification has mostly proved quixotic − partly because the proximity of the massive US housing market, for which there is not enough lumber harvested stateside to serve, has been a disincentive to reach further….Rick Doman, chair BC’s Forestry Innovation Investment board − mentioned South Korea, Vietnam, India, Australia, Britain. …Canada Wood Group president Bruce St. John describe it as a painstaking process involving promotional efforts, direct engagement with local governments on building codes and standards, and expertise-building for industry. …To succeed, particularly amid growing softwood-export competition from Europe especially, will require steady focus through and perhaps beyond the Trump era. [to access the full story a Globe & Mail subscription is required]

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Wood Pulp Imported to U.S. Added to Duty-Free List Under New Executive Order

PaperAge
September 12, 2025
Category: Business & Politics
Region: United States, International

The American Forest and Paper Association (AF&PA) announced that on September 5, President Trump signed an Executive Order (EO) making changes to EO 14257 from April. The new EO outlines what products and materials can enter the U.S. duty-free (zero percent tariffs). Three wood pulp tariff codes were added to the list. Pursuant to this new EO, imported wood pulp will come into the U.S. duty-free — an important development in the long-term trade and tariff policy discussion. This new list is meant to capture products and materials that are not produced in the U.S. — or not produced at scale. AF&PA has continuously made this argument for specific kinds of wood pulp, such as bleached eucalyptus kraft or BEK. … Importantly, this new EO also delegates authority to add items to the duty-free list to USTR and Commerce.

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Think Timber calls for stricter sourcing controls after Russian timber enters UK housing supply chain

By Hollie Tye
Housing Today UK
September 14, 2025
Category: Business & Politics
Region: International

Timber illegally sourced from Russia has been found in the UK housing supply chain, according to an investigation by Australian forensic supply chain specialist Source Certain. Imports of Russian timber were prohibited in 2022 following the invasion of Ukraine. However, the investigation identified a smuggling operation that concealed the timber’s origin by relabelling it as material from the Baltic States, including Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. The findings raise concerns for the housing and construction sectors, where suppliers investing in certified and responsibly sourced timber face higher operational costs. Industry voices warn that without effective monitoring, compliant businesses are being undercut and the credibility of the wider supply chain is being damaged. In response, UK-based Think Timber has introduced a packaging system designed to provide traceability from forest to building site. Each pack incorporates a unique QR code that, when scanned, verifies the chain of custody and origin of the material.

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Finance & Economics

Value of Canadian building permits edge down in July to $11.9 billion

Statistics Canada
September 12, 2025
Category: Finance & Economics
Region: Canada

In July, the total value of building permits issued in Canada edged down $10.8 million (-0.1%) to $11.9 billion. Overall, the decrease in construction intentions was led by the non-residential sector (-$279.2 million), but this was largely offset by a rise in the residential sector (+$268.3 million). On a constant dollar basis (2023=100), the total value of building permits issued in July declined 0.3% from the previous month and was down 8.2% on a year-over-year basis. …Despite the downward trend since January 2025, residential construction intentions rose $268.3 million to $7.3 billion in July. The national increase in the residential sector in July was driven by Ontario (+$497.5 million).

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US consumer sentiment continues to point to vulnerabilities in the economy

By Joanne Hsu, Director
The University of Michigan
September 14, 2025
Category: Finance & Economics
Region: United States

US consumer sentiment moved down less than three index points in early September. This month’s easing in economic views was particularly strong among lower and middle income consumers. Buying conditions for durables improved, while all other index components fell. Consumers continue to note multiple vulnerabilities in the economy, with rising risks to business conditions, labor markets, and inflation. Likewise, consumers perceive risks to their pocketbooks as well; current and expected personal finances both eased about 8% this month. Trade policy remains highly salient to consumers, with about 60% of consumers providing unprompted comments about tariffs during interviews, little changed from last month. Still, sentiment remains above April and May 2025 readings, immediately after the initial announcement of reciprocal tariffs. Year-ahead inflation expectations held steady at 4.8%, unchanged from August. Long-run inflation expectations moved up for the second straight month to 3.9% in September. This current reading is considerably lower than the 4.4% seen in April.

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Wood, Paper & Green Building

Carney announces launch of new housing agency, earmarks funding for new projects

By Darren Major
CBC News
September 14, 2025
Category: Wood, Paper & Green Building
Region: Canada

Prime Minister Mark Carney announced Sunday afternoon the launch of Build Canada Homes, the federal government’s new agency that will oversee federal housing programs. The agency was part of the Liberals’ election promise to double housing construction. The government is touting Build Canada Homes as a centralized agency to oversee new affordable housing programs initiated at the federal level. Carney said the agency will “supercharge housing construction across Canada” by helping to build supportive and transitional housing in collaboration with provinces, territories and Indigenous communities. It will also expand “deeply affordable and community housing” and partner with private developers to build homes for the middle class. The prime minister also announced that former Toronto city councillor Ana Bailão will be the CEO of Build Canada Homes. …Carney said $13 billion is earmarked for the new agency.

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Mass timber going mainstream in B.C. despite growing pains

By Jami Makan
Business in Vancouver
September 13, 2025
Category: Wood, Paper & Green Building
Region: Canada, Canada West

Mass timber is making a bold entrance in B.C. real estate, but experts say it faces hurdles including supply-demand mismatch and fire safety concerns. The province’s mass timber industry is seeing growth. About 450 mass-timber buildings were completed or under construction in the province as of December 2024, up from about 410 a year prior, said a statement from the B.C. Ministry of Jobs and Economic Growth. …Wider adoption may hinge on developers changing their mindset. Better alignment is needed between supply chains and developer demand in order for new construction methods to really take off, said Andrew Stiffman, vice-president of construction services with Kalesnikoff Mass Timber Inc. …There is incongruity between the way some buildings are designed and the way his industry is currently set up to deliver them. …Public perceptions of fire safety may also be holding the industry back.

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UMaine researchers are turning wood into medicine, and it could help cut drug costs

By Drew Peters
News Center Maine
September 12, 2025
Category: Wood, Paper & Green Building
Region: US East

ORONO, Maine — At the University of Maine, researchers are using wood to help make medicine more affordable. Researchers at UMaine are developing a method to extract glucose sugars from wood products like chips and sawdust and convert them into a chemical compound called (S)-3-hydroxy-γ-butyrolactone, or HBL, a building block found in a variety of pharmaceutical drugs.  HBL has also been identified as a highly valuable precursor to a variety of chemicals and plastics by the U.S. Department of Energy. “We found a way to take advantage of what nature gives us in the sugars in wood,” said Professor Tom Schwartz, who leads the project. HBL is commonly used in medications to treat high cholesterol, as well as things like antibiotics and HIV inhibitors, and producing it the traditional way is expensive. Schwartz says their new method could cut manufacturing costs significantly.

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How the UK government’s green paper will transform timber specification

Building Design Online UK
September 14, 2025
Category: Wood, Paper & Green Building
Region: International
Andrew Orriss

Andrew Orriss

Andrew Oriss, CEO of the Structural Timber Association, explains how the UK government’s 2025 Construction Products Reform Green Paper will reshape timber specification – from risk-based regulation and strengthened certification to digital product data and sustainability reporting – and what architects and specifiers need to know to stay compliant and competitive. The UK government’s 2025 Construction Products Reform Green Paper represents a pivotal moment for architects and specifiers working with timber and timber frame systems. …The proposed shift towards risk-based regulation offers architects greater clarity when specifying timber systems. Rather than applying blanket restrictions, the new framework will recognise that different timber applications carry different risk profiles. When specifying timber frame for low-rise residential projects, architects will have clearer guidance on what is appropriate compared to specifying mass timber systems for larger commercial buildings. This nuanced approach will enable evidence-based design decisions, moving beyond outdated perceptions to focus on actual performance data.

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Tool for wood traceability management debuts

Vietnam+
September 14, 2025
Category: Wood, Paper & Green Building
Region: International

Vietnam – The Vn-WoodID application has been officially launched, becoming a key tool contributing to wood traceability. The application, launched within the framework of the “Ensuring Timber Legality for Sustainable Forestry Development in Vietnam” forum on September 12, integrates artificial intelligence (AI) and is capable of analysing images of wood cross-sections, providing identification results with an accuracy of up to 98.6% in less than one second. A prominent feature of Vn-WoodID is its ability to operate directly on a phone without an internet connection. This allows customs officials, forest rangers, or businesses to use it immediately on-site to look up information about wood species, rather than taking days to send samples for identification as was previously required. The application was built using nearly 3,000 wood samples collected from various high-risk areas for origin, such as Africa, South America, and Asia. …expanding the database is crucial to enhancing the application’s effectiveness. 

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Forestry

This red retardant is crucial in the fight against wildfires. But is it also harming the environment?

By Chloé Dioré de Périgny
CBC News
September 15, 2025
Category: Forestry
Region: Canada

Dropping fire retardant solutions from planes is a crucial strategy in wildfire fighting, but some experts are concerned about their impact on the environment, including aquatic ecosystems. Once dropped, these retardants leave a rust-coloured or pinkish liquid coating on roads, roofs, and vegetation. This technique, commonly used since the mid 20th century, helps fire crews contain blazes by depriving flames of oxygen, explains Jen Baron, a postdoctoral researcher at the University of British Columbia’s Centre for Wildfire Coexistence. Since 2009, the B.C. Wildfire Service has relied on Phos-Chek LC-95A, a widely used retardant from Perimeter Solutions… Its main ingredient, ammonium polyphosphate, is a common fertilizer. Additives, like iron oxide, give the retardant its signature red colour, helping crews to see where it has been dropped. …Uldis Silins, a professor of forest hydrology at the University of Alberta says studying retardants like Phos-Chek remains crucial, especially because their specific chemical composition is proprietary and therefore unknown. 

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Kaslo, B.C., woman brings home timbersports championship title for 2nd year in a row

By Courtney Dickson
CBC News
September 14, 2025
Category: Forestry
Region: Canada, Canada West

Andrea Hand

As Andrea Hand’s axe slid all the way through the cottonwood block during the underhand chop competition at the Stihl Timbersports Canadian Championships on Sept. 5, host Ryan McIntyre’s voice rose with anticipation. McIntyre, a logger sport athlete himself, wondered whether Hand had just set a new world record for women’s underhand chop at the competition held in London, Ont. She finished the chop in 21.65 seconds. For those just learning about the sport — that’s good. “I knew that I had never seen that time before,” said Hand. Judges looked over the cut as spectators waited with bated breath. “We have a new world record. It’s a good cut,” the judge announced. Hand’s world record in the women’s championships beat a record set earlier this year by American athlete Erin Lavoie. Hand also took home the Pro Women’s Championship title for the second year in a row. 

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Okanagan-Similkameen flood concerns focus of anti-logging film screening

By Barry Gerding
The Similkameen Spotlight
September 14, 2025
Category: Forestry
Region: Canada West

Any forest industry supporters probably felt a little uncomfortable sitting in the audience for the screening and panel discussion about how clear-cut logging is impacting community watersheds in B.C. Along with the showing of the documentary Trouble In The Headwaters, speakers joined the Interior Watershed Task Force to discuss the need for drastic changes to B.C.’s logging of primary forests and community watersheds. Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, president of the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs spoke about the need to resuscitate the environment and place a higher priority on the preservation of the water supply. …Other speakers included former B.C. Green Party leader Sonia Furstenau, former MLA from Prince George Mike Morris, Westbank First Nation professional forester David Gill and Dr. Younes Alila, professor of hydrology at UBC. …”We have already lost most of our forest cover, the most powerful natural protection against flood and drought risk,” said Alila. 

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4 years after Fairy Creek, a new battle over B.C.’s old-growth forests looms in the Walbran Valley

By Shannon Waters
The Narwhal
September 12, 2025
Category: Forestry
Region: Canada West

A B.C. Supreme Court justice has ordered a group of people blocking a logging road in the Walbran Valley on southern Vancouver Island to stop. The decision to grant an injunction to Tsawak-qin Forestry Limited Partnership, a joint partnership between the Huu-ay-aht First Nations and Western Forest Products, alongside an enforcement order is expected to set the stage for the RCMP to remove people from the area. This fight over British Columbia’s old-growth forests comes four years after the start of the historic Fairy Creek protests, where more than 1,100 people were arrested. The Walbran Valley blockade began in late August and has prevented a logging company from working and accessing tools, equipment and vehicles on the other side of the blockade. Pacheedaht Elder Bill Jones, who was at the forefront of the Fairy Creek protests, is one of the parties named in the court filing, and the only person to respond to the application. 

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Celebrating the role of First Nations in the forestry economy

By Robin Grant
Campbell River Mirror
September 12, 2025
Category: Forestry
Region: Canada West

First Nations have a long and rich history in the forestry economy, having harvested trees for building, canoe-making and for cultural or ceremonial practices for thousands of years. …To celebrate this long history, members of the Na̲nwak̲olas Council, along with guests and community members, gathered in the H’kusam Forest on Aug. 27. The event was an opportunity to reflect on the First Nations’ past and share their vision for the future of forestry in their territories. The H’kusam Forest, near Sayward, is a prime example of the First Nations’ sustainable forestry management and cultural practices.  …Collaborating with the Nations through the La-kwa sa muqk Forestry Partnership is a point of pride for Steven Hofer, president and CEO of Western Forest Products. “Predictable, sustainable timber from La-kwa sa muqk is key to the success of our sawmills on Vancouver Island and to the broader regional economy,” Hofer said.

Media Release by The Na̲nwak̲olas Council: Honouring First Nations in the Forest Economy

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Conservationists decry lack of progress 5 years after B.C.’s old-growth logging review

By Chad Pawson
CBC News
September 13, 2025
Category: Forestry
Region: Canada, Canada West

It’s been five years since the B.C. government promised to overhaul how old-growth trees are logged in the province — a process that was supposed to take three years — and conservationists say the province’s heel-dragging is resulting in preventable biodiversity loss. …”This isn’t just about trees. It’s about climate, community safety, Indigenous rights and the future of forests in B.C.,” said Tobyn Neame, a campaigner with the Wilderness Committee, in one of several releases from similar groups marking the anniversary of the report. …Conservationists argue the province has not moved deliberately to accomplish the 14 recommendations in the report, the culmination of B.C.’s Old Growth Strategic Review process. …In early September, the Provincial Forest Advisory Council, an independent group of forestry experts, announced a new public-facing website seeking input over the issue.

Additional coverage in the Vancouver Sun, by Tiffany Crawford: Languishing ‘in the doldrums’: Conservation groups demand action on B.C.’s old-growth logging review

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Logging firm wins injunction to halt Walbran Valley blockade on Vancouver Island

By Daryll Greer
Canadian Press in CTV News
September 12, 2025
Category: Forestry
Region: Canada, Canada West

VANCOUVER — The BC Supreme Court has granted an injunction to a forestry company to halt a blockade against old-growth logging in the Walbran Valley on Vancouver Island, in a ruling that has been hailed by a group of First Nations that want the “unlawful occupation” ended. The protesters are mostly anonymous although BC Supreme Court Justice Amy Francis said that they include some of the same group involved in the blockade at nearby Fairy Creek. Francis said protests “are part of a healthy democracy. Criminal conduct is not.” …Michelle Corfield, a spokeswoman for a group of First Nations, said the territory belongs to the Pacheedaht First Nation. “I just really want everybody to understand how deeply hurt the Pacheedaht people are about this unlawful occupation,” she said. …Francis said the law around granting injunctions is well established, and “it appears clear that the defendants’ actions are criminal in nature.”

Related news, Press Release by the Tsawak-qin Forestry Limited Partnership: Statement from C̕awak ʔqin Forestry regarding the court’s decision to grant an injunction application in the Walbran

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Indigenous firefighter group seek same pay for same work as Government of the Northwest Territories crews

By Lisa Iesse
My True North Now
September 13, 2025
Category: Forestry
Region: Canada, Canada West

A group of Indigenous wildland firefighters have been battling blazes alongside Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) firefighters, but said they are being denied the same wages for the same work. Josée-Anne Spirito, who is a vice president at the Public Service Alliance of Canada, told True North FM that mediation efforts have failed and arbitration has been delayed as the group waits for a response from the employer, Evergreen Forestry. Spirito said the group of 32 Indigenous Wildland firefighters have been without a collective agreement since Dec. 2023. …During that same period of time, the GNWT’s Wildland firefighters have had a 2.5 per cent increase per year for both years. The group said their dispute is with the employer, Evergreen Forestry. The company is overseen by the Deh Gáh Got’ı̨ę First Nation and the Kátł’odeeche First Nation under contract with the GNWT.

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Port Hawkesbury Paper suspends logging in Cape Breton Highlands amid Mi’kmaw blockade

By Sis’moqon
CBC News
September 12, 2025
Category: Forestry
Region: Canada, Canada East

NOVA SCOTIA — A company responsible for logging in an area on Cape Breton Island in Nova Scotia has temporarily suspended its operations after a group of Mi’kmaq blocked the road into the forest. …Now discussions between the province and Mi’kmaw organizations are taking place over how to address concerns over forestry management of the Cape Breton Highlands. The Assembly of Nova Scotia Mi’kmaw Chiefs said in a statement Friday that it met with Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston, provincial ministers and Port Hawkesbury Paper to discuss the concerns. ….Despite the ongoing talks, organizers say that they don’t plan on stopping the blockade. …Port Hawkesbury Paper mill co-manager Bevan Lock said “We are proud of the ongoing dialogue we’ve had with Mi’kmaw organizations and the assembly over the years, and we want to help the broader community better understand what we do and how important the forests are to us, too.” 

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Forestry Institute for Teachers program returns this fall

The Plumas Sun
September 14, 2025
Category: Forestry
Region: United States

Plumas County, California — The Forestry Institute for Teachers announces FIT-Focus, an immersive, three-day professional learning experience designed for both formal and informal educators from the preschool level to 12th grade and above. The program will be held from Oct. 17 – Oct. 19, in Meadow Valley. Program focuses on the tools, techniques and metrics that inform forest management, blending engaging, field-based instruction with real-world insights from subject-matter experts. “Whether you’re looking to deepen your content knowledge, explore new environmental education strategies or connect with like-minded educators, FIT-Focus provides the perfect setting — outdoors, in the forest,” says FIT. Participants receive access to environmental education curricula — Project Learning Tree Green Jobs, Our Forests, nature journaling — and focused pedagogy connecting field learning to Next Generation science standards, Common Core state standards and career technical education standards.

Related content, in the Daily Bulldog, Educators take to the woods during the 2025 Forests of Maine Teachers’ Tours hosted by Maine TREE Foundation

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Forest Service chief explains the need for active land management

By Kevin Lind
The Deseret News
September 14, 2025
Category: Forestry
Region: United States

For Tom Schultz, the 21st chief of the U.S. Forest Service, repealing the Roadless Rule is not a matter of ideology but rather a matter of “common sense land management.” Leaving land alone and letting nature run its course is not management, Schultz explained, but a “false narrative.” “The idea that if I care about something, I walk away from it,” Schultz said. “I guess I don’t buy that.” The Roadless Rule… prevented the building of roads through nearly 60 million acres of Forest Service land, conserving a small percentage of the overall American landscape from further development. Today, after carve outs by several states, the total acreage is closer to 45 million. …Schultz spoke with Deseret News to explain why it’s important to repeal the provision, why the administration is working so “expeditiously” to do so and what the public might expect from the prospect. 

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Trump wants to open forests to more trucks, logging. Which California lands are at risk?

By Ariane Lange
The Sacramento Bee
September 14, 2025
Category: Forestry
Region: United States, US West

President Donald Trump’s Secretary of Agriculture has moved to rescind the “roadless rule” that protects portions of national forests from development — including 4.4 million acres in California — and members of the public can still submit comments about the change to the federal government. Every national forest in California would be affected. Commenters can weigh in through the online form on regulations.gov through Sept. 19; the docket is FS-2025-0001-0001. Since 2001, the roadless rule has protected designated areas from development and logging, limiting or barring the construction or reconstruction of roads. About 21% of California’s national forestlands are protected. Throughout the U.S., the 2001 rule covers 59 million acres. The administration has said the move to end the rule would open up these forests to more logging and has said that more roads would help with wildfire prevention. As NPR reported, the U.S. Forest Service has previously found that roads appeared to do nothing to mitigate wildfires.

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Over 2,000 sign petition to oust forest supervisor amid wildfire management concerns

By Mayra Franco
Fox 26 News
September 12, 2025
Category: Forestry
Region: US West

Shaver Lake, Calif. — A new petition circulating online is calling for new leadership in the Sierra National Forest and the removal of current Supervisor Dean Gould. In less than two days, the petition has gathered more than 2,000 signatures. Frede Serrano, the organizer of the petition says the outcome shows a clear sign of public frustration with the current leadership, saying Gould is failing to protect the land. FOX26 spoke with residents on both sides of the aisle to hear their perspectives. …David John Hornor, long-time Shaver Lake resident says, he is against the petition and is in support of Gould. Hornor believes that Gould’s hands are tied by complex regulations and limited funding, making forest management a difficult balancing act.

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US Forest Service seeks public comment over rescinding roadless rule: What to know

By Mariah Johnston
The Salem Statesman Journal
September 14, 2025
Category: Forestry
Region: United States, US West

The Trump administration is looking to finalize a repeal of a longstanding Roadless Rule with a public comment period that lasts until Sept. 19. …Environmental groups say removing the rule will threaten clean drinking water and allow for logging and roads on some of Oregon’s most iconic lands. Timber companies say that removing the rule will help mitigate wildfires, as well as support forest management moving to the hands of local officials. …The rule applies to 44.7 million acres in 10 Western states. …These are areas that have been off limits to logging and development for more than 20 years. The American Forest Resource Council says “rhetoric suggesting that rescinding the rule will result in unrestrained logging just isn’t based in reality.” Oregon Wild plans to focus on the importance of protecting areas with clean drinking water. …So far, the public comment board has recorded more than 98,000 comments. Maps of roadless areas in Oregon can be found here

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Compliance with the EU Deforestation Regulation Is Feasible, Underway — and Must Go On

By Bo Li, Tina Schneider, Sophie Labaste, Olivia Campbell & Janneke de Vries
World Resources Institute
September 10, 2025
Category: Forestry
Region: International

The European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), one of the world’s most comprehensive legislations to curb tropical deforestation, will take effect at the end of December 2025. Since its adoption in 2023, debates over its implementation and effectiveness have been loud and persistent. Some claim the requirements are unclear or impossible to meet, especially for smallholders, while others fear the regulation will disrupt trade or place heavy burdens on businesses. …Despite the challenges, governments, companies and smallholders worldwide are showing that EUDR compliance is not only possible — it is already underway. Building on our previous analysis of why the EUDR is a necessary regulation to tackle deforestation linked to commodity supply chains, this article focuses on the practicality of compliance and highlights concrete steps being taken to prepare. …Guidance from EU national enforcement authorities, such as the Netherlands’ report, show that compliance with the EUDR is not rocket science. 

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EU Deforestation Regulation may cut Austrian softwood production by up to 10%

The Lesprom Network
September 12, 2025
Category: Forestry
Region: International

Austria’s softwood sector may face a production decline of up to 10% if the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) takes effect in its current form at the end of the year. The regulation requires full traceability of wood products across the entire supply chain, which industry representatives say is unworkable according to Markus Schmölzer of the Austrian Sawmill Association. Although the sector expects a 2% production increase in 2025, the EUDR poses a direct threat to the entire wood value chain. A decline in softwood production would affect manufacturers of building components, furniture, panel boards, paper, and pellet products, especially during winter months. …The Austrian industry urges the EU to either suspend the regulation entirely or revise it through an “Omnibus” legislative package aimed at reducing bureaucracy. …While supporting the goal of halting global deforestation, the sector proposes targeted monitoring for high-risk regions and exemptions for low-risk countries such as Austria.

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EU announces dates for virtual training on EU Deforestation Regulation

Wood Pellet Association of Canada
LinkedIn
September 13, 2025
Category: Forestry
Region: International

The European Commission has announced dates for virtual training sessions on the EUDR Information System, open to all interested parties. These sessions provide guidance on submitting due diligence statements under the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). While these sessions are available to all, WPAC anticipates that most of our members will meet their EUDR obligations through the Sustainable Biomass Program (SBP) system, which we helped to develop. EUDR establishes robust requirements for traceability, due diligence, and risk mitigation. SBP has developed a voluntary EUDR module integrated into its Data Transfer System (DTS), helping Certificate Holders prepare now for compliance ahead of the December 2025 implementation deadline. …Learn more about EC’s training sessions here. Learn more about SBP’s EUDR module here.

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Carbon, Climate & Bioenergy

Lakehead University researchers lead $1.67M global effort to help forests adapt to climate change

By Desmond Brown
CBC News
September 15, 2025
Category: Carbon, Climate & Bioenergy
Region: Canada, Canada East

Brigitte Leblon

Amid a stark increase in forest fires in recent years, a global project led by Lakehead University in Thunder Bay, Ont., aims to determine how woodland areas can adapt to climate change. Natural resource management experts at Lakehead are leading the $1.67-million global research project, which includes other Canadian universities and one in Germany. The multi-year research is being funded by the Eva Mayr-Stihl Foundation in that western European country. “The forest is made of wood, and the first thing wood is doing is burning,” lead researcher Brigitte Leblon of Lakehead told CBC News. “Fires become more and more intense and huge because of climate change. More drought means more intense fires, and when the fire is more intense, automatically, large areas are burned.” …They’ll be examining tree genetics, ecosystems, policy and land-use planning, as well as how biological, ecological and social systems interact to shape forest health in a changing climate.

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USA BioEnergy to transform old mill site into $2.8B biorefinery in Bon Wier by 2025

By Zoe Holman
6 KFDM
September 13, 2025
Category: Carbon, Climate & Bioenergy
Region: United States, US East

©USABioEnergy Facebook

Bon Wier, Texas — USA BioEnergy, in partnership with Texas Renewable Fuels, is set to convert the former Louisiana-Pacific plywood mill site on Farm to Market Road 363 into a $2.8 billion advanced biorefinery. The facility will transform forest byproducts, such as sustainably sourced wood waste and thinnings, into low-carbon fuels like renewable naphtha and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). Governor Greg Abbott announced the project in 2022 with an initial $1.7 billion investment, which is expected to create over 140 permanent jobs. USA BioEnergy has secured more than 1,600 acres in Bon Wier for the refinery, aiming to turn an idle property into a clean energy hub by 2025. The refinery has entered a 20-year offtake agreement with Southwest Airlines for up to 680 million gallons of SAF.

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Health & Safety

See Tracks? Think Train® Week

Operation Lifesaver, Inc.
September 15, 2025
Category: Health & Safety
Region: Canada, United States

See Tracks? Think Train® Week (formerly Rail Safety Week) is a concentrated week of rail safety education focusing attention on the importance of making safe choices when driving or walking near railroad tracks and trains. First held in the U.S. in 2017, this collaborative effort among Operation Lifesaver Inc., State Operation Lifesaver Programs and rail safety partners across the U.S., Canada and Mexico is now called See Tracks? Think Train® Week throughout the U.S. to better reflect the purpose of this week-long observance: Preventing railroad crossing and trespass incidents across North America and concentrating public attention on the need for rail safety education. OLI offers free See Tracks? Think Train® Week materials – including posters, billboards, a month-long social media calendar filled with assets and more for rail safety partners and supporters to increase awareness about the importance of rail safety education across the country.

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