NORTH CAROLINA FORESTRY ASSOCIATION JUNE 2008 �

he NCFA hosted three regional board meetings in May with stops in Ashe-

ville, New Bern and Greensboro. The regional board meetings were initiated last year in an effort to bring the mid-year board meeting closer to the members and give NCFA members an opportunity to at-tend and interact with their representatives from the region.

The regional meetings featured pro-gram updates by the NCFA staff in the areas of education, public affairs and logger training. Other topics included an update on the Forest Development Program and a discussion on the future direction for the program, the Friends of Forestry Political

ncfa membership makes a strong showing at forestry day

ncfa regional board meetings are well attended

lampe & malphrus lumber company earns sawmill

safety award

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he Southern Forest Products Association (SFPA) recently pre-sented its 2007 Sawmill Safety Award to Lampe & Malphrus

Lumber Company in recognition of the company’s safety perfor-mance at its Southern Pine lumber mill in Smithfield.

SFPA member mills are considered for the award based on infor-mation they submit to SFPA regarding occupational injuries and ill-nesses. The award is presented to mills in three categories – Division I for companies producing 50 million board feet and under; Division II for companies making 51 to 150 million board feet; and Division III for companies exceeding 150 million board feet annually.

Lampe & Malphrus won its award in Division I category. SFPA Chair Lynda Anthony presented the award to Lampe & Malphrus Secretary Ross Lampe. Lampe & Malphrus, which produces high grade Southern Pine Lumber, was founded by the late Guy C. Lee in 1925. Jimmy Knight is the current mill manager.

SFPA presented the award to Lampe and others at its meeting in May. The 2007 Recipients were:

Division I: Lampe & Malphrus Lumber Co. ........ Smithfield, NC

Division II: Anthony Forest Products ...........................Urbana, AR

Division III: Georgia-Pacific LLC ............................Bay Springs, MS Georgia-Pacific LLC ................................Cross City, FL Georgia-Pacific LLC ...................................Crossett, AR Georgia-Pacific LLC ..............................Russellville, SC Georgia-Pacific LLC ................................Springhill, LA Georgia-Pacific LLC ...................................Sterling, GA Georgia-Pacific LLC .................................... Suffolk, VA Weyerhaeuser Company ............... Wright City, OK n

SFPA Chair Lynda Anthony presents the 2007 Sawmill Safety Award to Ross Lampe (left) and Jeff Baumgartner of Lampe & Malprhus

Lumber Company.

NCDFR’S Sean Brogan (left) and Dave Andres gave a presentation on the Forest Development Program as part of the regional

board meetings conducted in May.

NCFA members gathered for a morning briefing from NCFA Executive Vice President Bob Slocum on the issues facing forestry prior to the

start of Forestry Day in the Legislature.

he NCFA held one of its most successful Forestry Day in

the Legislature in June as over 100 members registered for the event. Concerned about fuel costs, proposed cuts to the Forest Development Program in addi-tion to a 50% increase in the forest products tax on the forest products industry, and new regulatory and tax legislation being proposed, NCFA members came to Raleigh with purpose.

“Typically, this is a day when NCFA members seek to raise the awareness of the challenges facing our forests, the needs of private forest landowners and the state of our forest products industry,” stated Bob Slocum, the Executive Vice President of the NCFA. “But this year, we really focused on the proposed elimination of state funding for the Forest Development Program. The legislature has appropriated millions for bio-fuels research and mandated that we will have to produce a significant amount of our power from renewable sources. Neither will succeed without wood – and lots of it. And now the same legislature is talking seriously about cutting the only state program that puts trees in the ground and provides assistance to landowners to improve their forests. We should be expanding this program, not cutting it. This program has put more than one million trees in the ground since its inception some 25 years ago and helped keep our forests healthy and productive.”

Despite the state’s population growth, North Carolina has 17-plus million acres of forests, occupy-ing 58 percent of land area. Almost 90 percent of these forests are privately owned by some 600,000 landowners.

“As a result of our members work at Forestry Day,” stated Slocum. “The tax increase was eliminated from the final House budget and that the state funding was restored to current levels. We owe special thanks to Representatives Pryor Gibson for leading the charge on the removal of the tax increase and to Representative Lucy Allen for restoring the state funding to the program.”n

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(continued on page 4)

NORTH CAROLINA FORESTRY ASSOCIATION �JUNE 2008

Charles JonesChairman of the BoardDale ThrashPresidentMark WisemanPresident Elect-TreasurerGreg DeckerFirst Vice PresidentDave WoodmanseeEastern Vice President

�008 executive committeeJeff HanksPiedmont Vice PresidentJimmy PowellWestern Vice PresidentMichael WaltersChairman of the BoardForestry Mutual Insurance Bob SlocumExecutive Vice President

�008 board of directorsAdams, Stan Allen, Ray Alsup, Dean Batts, Dwight Beasely, Dianne Brown, Bob Capps, Chip Chesson, BoonCooper, Bob Crawley, Steve Davis, Joel Henry Decker, Greg Dunagan, DougDurham, Jim Edwards, Jeff Faircloth, AshleyGraham, TedGray, John Gregg, Stewart Hanks, JeffHenson, Steve Hilliard, Marisue Hulka, BryanInman, Tom Jarrard, RoyJones, Charles

Kessler, Ed Lentz, JohnLogan, ChrisLumpkin, Parker Miller, Chip Monahan, BillOwen, WibParton, Patrick Phillips, RonPippen, BobPlaster, Allen Powell, Jimmy Rackley, Frank Schaefer, Bob Shaver, Jimbo Swanson, Courtney Teel, Jaime Thrash, Dale Tombaugh, Larry Urban, Ray Walters, Michael Weigel, Philip Wellborn, Jim Williams, Richard Wiseman, Mark Woodmansee, Dave

TreeLine is the monthly newsletter of the North Carolina Forestry Association. News items and photographs should be sent to Chris Brown at cbrown@ncforestry.org. The NCFA, the state’s oldest forest conservation organization, is a private, nonprofit partnership of forest managers, landowners, mill operators, loggers, furniture manufacturers and others that actively promote healthy, productive forests by supporting the efforts of landowners and forestry-related businesses and organizations that responsibly manage or use forests.

NCFA, 1600 Glenwood Ave., Suite I, Raleigh, NC 27608.

Telephone (919) 834-3943 or (800) 231-7723. Fax (919) 832-6188.

do you have a news item?

farm bill passes house and senate despite veto from president

I n May, the U.S. Senate passed H.R. 2419, The Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008 by a vote of 81-15 following passage in the House by a comfortable 318-106 margin. The President promptly

vetoed the measure, but given vote counts in each chamber, his veto will be overridden and the bill will become law. Provisions of interest to the industry that are:

taxA one-year version of the TREE Act, which provides a maximum 15 percent corporate tax rate on

qualified timber gain for regular tax and AMT purposes. Timber must be held more than 15 years to qualify. It also includes a number of REIT modernization provisions, also for a one-year period from date of enactment.

Tax deductions for landowners who take steps to conserve habitat for species listed under the Federal Endangered Species Act. These provisions provide for the first time incentives associated with taking affirmative steps to protect listed species on private land. At the national level, AF&PA worked with a broad coalition including the Farm Bureau and several environmental groups in support of these incentives.

The bill also includes a new, $1.01 per gallonproduction tax credit for cellulosic ethanol. This credit reflects a reduction from the original amount of $1.25 per gallon which was contained in the Senate passed version. Accompanying this provision is language which was sought by many requiring an analysis by the National Academy of Sciences of the tax credit’s impact on regional agricultural and silvicultural capabilities of commercially available forest inventories, the selling price of forest products and the maximum amount of biofuels production capable on U.S. forests.

biomassNew grants and loan guarantees for demonstration and production scale biorefineries. Consistent

with our biomass policy, AF&PA succeeded in securing language that allows for consideration of the impacts of new biomass demand on existing facilities as well as the potential for new markets and rural economic development. In addition, existing wood and paper facilities will be eligible for these grants.(continued on page 4)

appropriationsadditional funding for the forest development program (fdp): The Gover-

nor’s budget request included an additional $150,000 in non-recurring appropriations to the program. However, the Appropriations Subcommittee for Natural and Economic Resources (NER) is considering a proposal to eliminate all state funding to the program AND to increase the tax on the industry by 50%! As of today, this will probably be in the House budget proposal. We need to give special atten-tion to the Senate and get them to correct this error. House Members: Reps. McAllister (C), Warren (C), Harrison (VC), Justice (VC) Wilkens (VC), Bryant, Langston, Samuelson, Stiller and Wray Senate Members: Sens. Weinstein (C), Albertson (VC), Brown, Jacumin, Jones and McKissick

Note: While we support the governor’s request for increased funding, overall state support of the program should be increased to $1 million annually (recurring funding). The contribution to the program from the forest products industry is currently about $1.9 million annually.

NCFA Position: SUPPORT increased state funding; OPPOSE elimination of state funding. OPPOSE increasing the tax on the forest products industry

Status: Final House budget did not increase either the tax on the industry or the state funding to the program (current funding maintained). The budget now goes to the Senate.

additional funding for forest fire suppression: The Governor’s budget provided for $150,000 recurring increase in funding and $50,000 in non-recurring funding for forest fire suppres-sion in North Carolina. The NER Appropriations Subcommittee has also recommended eliminating this funding proposal. This money would provide for additional personnel in targeted counties and for equipment. Status: The House budget proposal will likely exclude this funding.

NCFA Position: SUPPORT Status: The House budget did not include the Governor’s requested increases.

additional funding for agricultural development and farmland pres-ervation trust fund: The Governor’s budget calls for a non-recurring appropriation of $5

top legislative issues facing forestry

(continued on page 3)

NORTH CAROLINA FORESTRY ASSOCIATION JUNE 2008 �

renovations of ncfa office underway

he NCFA office, which is also home to Forestry Mutual, is undergoing renovations over the next

two months. All of the NCFA offices on the second floor will be renovated as well as the conference room. The new conference room will be larger than the previous one and the entire layout on the second floor is designed to increase office space. The conference room on the first floor, utilized by Forestry Mutual, is being converted to new offices. The renovations will also seek to highlight the use of wood in construction with different wood panels being used in different offices. NCFA staff will still be available via the telephone during these renova-tions and will be utilizing space at the Georgia Pacific office in Raleigh. The office should be reopened in early August. n

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million. This trust fund provides funding for programs and actions that preserve and protect working farms and forest land. Status: The House budget is expected to include $4 million.

NCFA Position: SUPPORT at least $5 million Status: House budget included an additional $4 mil-lion

h. �5�5, funds/farmland preservation trust fund: Appropriates $20 million to the Agri-cultural Development and Farmland Preservation Trust Fund. Sponsor: Reps. Harrison, Justus, Allen, Hill (primary); Adams, Alexander, Bell, Blue, Bordsen, Braxton, Brown, Bry-ant, Carney, Church, Coates, Coleman, Cotham, Current, Dick-son, Dollar, Earle, Faison, Farmer-Butterfield, Fisher, Gibson, Glaxier, Goforth, Grady, Hall, Holliman, Howard, Hughes, Insko, Jones, Justice, Langdon, Love, Lucas, Luebke, Martin, McAllister, McGee, McLawhorn, Mobley, Owens, Parmon, Pierce, Ross, Samuelson, Setzer, Starnes, Tarelton, Thomas, Tillis, Tucker, Underhill, Wainwright, Warren, Weiss, Wiley, Wilkins, Williams, Womble and Yongue. Referred to: Appropriations Committee

NCFA Position: SUPPORT

extend nc ports tax credits. �7��, extend sunset/state ports tax

credit: Extends the tax credit for importing or export-ing through North Carolina ports until 2014. Sponsors: Sens. Albertson, Jenkins, Preston and Soles. Note: S. 1731 is identical to this bill. Companion legislation in the House is H. 2366 sponsored by Reps. McComas, Wainwright, Gibson (primary), Blackwood, Brubaker, Carney, Hill, Hughes, Justice, McElraft and McGee. Referred to: Both House and Senate bills to Committee on Finance

NCFA Position: SUPPORT Status: H. 2366 received favorable report from Finance Committee S. 1723 no action

truck siZe and weights. �695, vehicle siZe and weight changes:

Makes several changes related to vehicle size and weight laws including allowance for 53-foot trailers, allowable weight for farm equipment, and the hauling of boats. It also contains an extension of the existing 4,000 lb. weight tolerance for wood chips to raw logs hauled to first market. Sponsors: Sens. Jenkins, Tillman and Preston. Companion legislation: H. 2408; Sponsors: Reps. Cole, Spear and Warren. Referred to: Commerce, Small Business, and Entrepreneurship Committee. STATUS: S. 1695 Favorable Report

NCFA Position: SUPPORT Status: S. 1695 received favorable reports from both the Senate Commerce, Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee and Finance Committee. Senate vote sched-uled for 6/16. H. 2408 no action

transfer taxesh. �097, repeal transfer tax: Repeals the

authorization for all counties to levy a one-fourth cent local land transfer tax. Sponsors: Reps. Gibson, J. Harrell, Goforth, Lewis (Primary Sponsors); Avila, Boylan, Brown, Cleveland, Coates, Dockham, Dollar, Faison, Gulley, Hilton, Jeffus, Killian, Langdon, Samuelson, Setzer, Starnes, Thomas, Tillis and Wray. Companion legislation: S. 1951; Sponsors: Sens. Hoyle (primary); Co-sponsors Sens. Allran, Boseman, Hartsell, Jenkins, Jones, Malone, Joe Sam Queen, Shaw, Snow, Stevens, Swindell and Tillman. Referred to: Committee on

Rules, Calendar and Operations of the House. Referred to: H. 2097 to Rules and if favorable, to Finance; S. 1951 to Finance

NCFA Position: SUPPORT Status: S. 1951 received favorable report from Senate Finance Committee H. 2097 no action

green buildings/leedsh. �5�8, green school construction

loan program: Creates the Green School Construc-tion Revolving Loan Fund to be used for no-interest loans to local boards of education for certain energy related construction, commissioning, and installation projects and to establish the Green School Construction Program, a voluntary program for the construction or major renovation of high performance school buildings. NOTE: Would require construction to a LEED Silver stan-dard. Sponsors: Reps. Harrison, Tolson, Cotham and Glazier (primary); Co-sponsors: Alexander, Allen, Bryant, Coleman, Farmer-Butterfield, Fisher, Hall, T.Harrell, Holliman, Insko, Luebke, Martin, Mobley, Samuelson, Tarleton, Thomas, Un-derhill, Womble and Wray. Referred to: Appropriations Committee

NCFA Position: OPPOSE mandating any one standard. Must include Green Globes or other nationally recognized green building standard. Status: No action

property taxes/present use valueh. �48�, deferred property tax programs

changes: Makes numerous changes in deferred prop-erty tax programs including the present use value tax program. The PUV changes came from a study committee and are positive. Sponsors: Reps Brubaker, Hill (primary); Co-sponsors Reps. Carney, Gibson, Luebke, McComas, McGee, Wainwright and Weiss. Referred to: Finance Committee

NCFA Position: SUPPORT Status: No action

other bills of interesth. �5�9, extend climate change commis-

sion: Would extend the Legislative Study Commission on Global Climate Change and direct the Commission to submit a final report, including any findings and rec-ommendations, to the 2009 General Assembly and the Environmental Review Commission on or before 15 April 2008,1 April 2009, at which time the Commission shall terminate.” Sponsors: Reps. Harrison, Thomas, Underhill, and Wilkins Status: H. 2529 passed House

s. �967/h. ���8 disapprove coastal storm-water rules: The bill would disapprove the coastal stormwater rules adopted by the Environmental Manage-ment Commission and send the rules back to the EMC for rework.

S. 1967 Sponsors: Sens. Boseman (primary); Co-sponsors Sens. Apodaca, P. Berger, Blake, Brock, Brown, Brunstetter, East, Goodall, Hartsell, Hoyle, Jacumin, Jenkins, Jones, Kerr, Malone, McKissick, Pittenger, Preston, Smith, Soles, Stevens, Swindell and Tillman.

H. 2138 Sponsors: Reps. Gibson (primary); Co-Sponsors: Reps. Avila, Blackwood, Daughtridge, Frye, Gulley, Hill, Johnson, Killian, McElraft, Owens and Tucker Status: No action n

2008 Legislative Issues...(from page 2)ncfa camp visits greensboro

Frank Rackley of Weyerhaeuser helps a student with tree measurement during the NCFA’s Forestry & Environmental

Camp held in Greensboro.

he NCFA’s Forestry and Environmental Camp was held in May in Greensboro as over 350 sixth

grade students from Kernodle Middle School enjoyed a hands-on approach towards forest management, the environment and the forest products industry. These successful camps are for sixth grade students and pro-vide a hands-on learning experience. During the week, the students are divided into different groups and they participate in several outdoor sessions in ecology, tree measurement, compass reading, silviculture, soil studies and forest products and history. Instructors for these camps are volunteers from within the forest products industry and state agencies.

“This was my first camp,” explained NCFA member Frank Rackley. “I was really impressed by the enthusiasm the kids have for this program. They were excited about being at the camp and eager to learn.”

The popular camp program will also make stops in Asheville, Wilkesboro and Wilmington in 2008. If you would like to be a part of the teaching staff for one of these camps, please contact Jennifer Grantham at (800) 231-7723 ext. 4. n

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NORTH CAROLINA FORESTRY ASSOCIATION 4JUNE 2008

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prologger program education scheduleprologger base class offerings

date location sponsor(s)September 17-19 Forsyth Community College, Winston Salem, NC Weyerhaeuser/LP

module eight - continuing education class for �008date location sponsor/contactTue., June 10 5:30 - 9:00 PM Roaring River VFD, Roaring River, NC Louisiana PacificWed., June 11 6:30 – 10:00 PM College of Albemarle, Elizabeth City JW Jones LumberFri., June 13 8:00 – 11:30 AM Workforce Development Center, Clayton, NC NCFA 1:00 – 4:30 PM Workforce Development Center, Clayton, NC NCFA Call to reserve seat (limited to 50 per session) 919-538-8991Thu., June 26 5:00 – 8:00 PM James Sprunt Comm. College, Kenansville, NC Int’l. Papern

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illegal loggingAn amendment to the Lacey Act prohibiting importation of wood

obtained from illegal logging. Illegallysourced wood costs the United States wood products sector an estimated $460 million annually.

forestryGreatly increased access to conservation programs (such as the

Environmental Quality Incentives Program) for non-industrial, pri-vate forest landowners. Language directing States to set priorities for the conservation of private forests, and allowing the allocation of some Forest Service State & Private Forestry funds through a com-petitive process. Language allowing extensions and other types of flexibility to purchasers of Federal timber who have been impacted by steep declines in solid wood markets.

wood products internationalProvisions extending the Market Access Program at the current

$200 million annual funding level through 2011 and extending the Foreign Market Development program at its current $34.5 million through 2012 are included in the bill. These programs help develop markets for U.S. agricultural products, including forest products, overseas and are important components of the U.S. wood products industry’s international trade strategy

transportationA study of rural transportation issues which includes an examina-

tion of the sufficiency of railroad capacity in rural American as well as the sufficiency of rail competition and reliability of rail service. The study, which is due to Congress nine months from enactment, also would address reasonableness of rail prices and adequacy of a federal process for resolving rail customer grievances with the railroad.

Highlights of the Farm Bill were provided by Patrick Rita, Vice President, Government Affairs, American Forest and Products Association (AF&PA).n

Farm Bill...(from page 2)

ow, you can save 15% on your Sprint or Nextel Monthly charges for you and your family! Your membership in NCFA entitles

you to be a part of this program. Even if you are already a Sprint customer, you can claim your

discount. Take advantage of current Sprint offers: Handset pricing, Sprint pricing plans for individuals and families,

The unique capabilities of instant communication through Nextel Direct Connect, GPS products including Sprint Family Locator, Sprint services and features that include: Music, Email, Internet, Photo and Video, Sprint TV, Unique applications for professional football and racing.

Here’s How to Sign up: Go to your nearest North Carolina Sprint Authorized Retailer. Be sure to have this code: GLLNC_SNC_ZZZ

Visit www.sprint.com for information about Sprint phones and pricing plans. If you have any questions about this program, please feel free to call me at the number below or contact Jimmy Thompson at 919-835-1766.n

ncfa and sprint announce discount program

wo ProLogger classes have been held recently, one in Whiteville and the other in Marion adding 60 new ProLoggers to the ranks. The next class is scheduled for Forsyth Community College in

Winston Salem from September 17-19. Following are the recent graduates from each class:

two prologger classes graduate

southeastern community collegewhiteville, nc

prologger ................................................. companyAnthony Johnson .......Anthony Johnson LoggingL.M. Barber, Jr. ................................BME RecyclingAlfred “Boyd” Lindsey ................Bugg’s LoggingBrandon S. Walsh ............................ Bullis LoggingRobert G. Currie ................................. Currie Corp.Archie Sandy Hunt .................... Extreme LoggingAnthony G. Malpass ........ Gene Malpass LoggingKelvin D. Greene ........................Greene’s LoggingLynnie Hunt ...................................Hunt’s LoggingJohnny Glasgow .................................J&D LoggingJimmy Worrells ..................J.W. Worrells LoggingOdell Johnson .......................... Kelly Fuel ChipperTim Herring ................................Little Bit LoggingA.J. Keating IV ............. Lumber River Timber Co.Davis McGowen ..............New South Lumber Co.William Benton ............................ Pine Log TimberDanny Sholar ................. Precision Harvester LLCTony Adams ....................................... T&L LoggingDanny Prince ....................Tabor City Lumber Co.Michael Ray Thomas ....................Thomas TimberPhillip D. Parks ..................... Timberland LoggingPriscilla Williamson ..............Williamson Logging

mcdowell community collegemarion, nc

prologger ................................................... companyBruce E. Barnes ................................ Barnes LoggingJames Dwight Barnes ...................... Barnes LoggingTommy Boyd ......................................Boyd LoggingGayla Bryant .............Gary Bryant Enterprises, Inc.Kenny Bryant .............Gary Bryant Enterprises, IncThomas Clayton ............................ Clayton LoggingChristopher Cooper ...................... T&S HardwoodsGary Cox, Jr. ................................ Gary Cox LoggingAdam Crane ...................................... Crane LoggingDale L. Dodson ...................Dodson & Dodson, Inc.Tommy Dodson ..................Dodson & Dodson, Inc.Josh Elliott .......................Parton Lumber CompanyDarrell Freeman ... Wilson Logging of Mill SpringsKevin Golden ... Golden & Son Timber HarvestingPaul Gortney ...................Parton Lumber CompanyJonathan Hill ...................Parton Lumber CompanyJames E. Hoilmon ........................ Hoilmon LoggingKevin Hoilmon ............................ Hoilmon LoggingChad Jones ..................................... T&S HardwoodsJeremy Jarvis .........................................Sale LoggingJonathan J. Jennings .............................Sale LoggingDavid King ..................................... T&S HardwoodsJason D. Laws .....................................Laws LoggingJason Laws...........................................J + M LoggingLeon Mast ...............................Leon’s Small LoggingRoy Meadows .....................................Roy MeadowsKyle McClure ................................McClure LoggingDennis Miller .................... Miller (Dennis) LoggingDelmar Miller ................... Miller (Dennis) LoggingLarry Payne ....................................... Payne LoggingJeff A. Polson ...............Western Carolina Tree CareTravis Revis ........................................ Revis LoggingArthur Rogers ..........................Ray Rogers GradingBrandon Russell.............. Brandon Russell LoggingShawn Swartz .....................Warren Wilson CollegeTommy Turner .................Tommy Turner LoggingMichael Vess ....................................... C&C LoggingMark R. Warren ....... Warren Timber & Shipping n

NCFA Regional Board Meetings...(from page 1)

Action Committee, the North Carolina Tree Farm Program and the North Carolina Professional Loggers Association.

Traditionally, the first meeting of the NCFA Board of Directors takes place in Raleigh in January and the final meeting of the year takes place as part of the NCFA’s Annual Meeting. This year’s final board meeting of the year will take place on Wednesday morning, October 1, 2008, in Hickory.n

NORTH CAROLINA FORESTRY ASSOCIATION JUNE 2008 5

summer crittersBy Tony Havens, Forestry Mutual

T his article will cover some-thing that every summer

we all deal with in the outdoors and which, over the years, has become very near and “not so dear” to my heart …and my legs, my arms, my ankles and unfor-tunately the region of my body in which my mother always told me not to scratch in public. The subject is CRITTERS … or for you politically correct folks out there … ticks, chiggers, bees and everything else that bites, stings and otherwise makes working outdoors such a joy at times.

Let’s take a look at those sneaky, little blood-sucking hitch-hikers that we deal with every year – no, this isn’t an article about politicians. We’re talking TICKS. At least once a year, the tick seems to be responsible for another disease, ailment, or itch. The most widely known plague of the tick is the familiar “Lyme disease.” Ticks search for host animals (like us humans) from tips of grasses and shrubs (not from trees) and transfer to us when we brush against the veg-etation. They crawl and aren’t able to fly or jump. Ticks then feed on our blood by inserting their mouth parts into our skin. Early stages of Lyme disease are usually marked by one or more of the following symptoms: fatigue, chills and fever, headache, muscle and joint pain, swollen lymph nodes, and a characteristic rash. This red, circular patch appears three days to one month after the bite of an infected tick and often expands. These patches are com-monly in the thigh, groin, trunk and armpit areas. Early identifi-cation is important in preventing chronic, serious problems from Lyme disease. If any of these symptoms occur after recent exposure see a physician as soon as possible.

To help prevent that tick bite you can use the following precautions: when possible tuck your pants into your boots or socks, and your shirt into your pants. Use a permethrin based spray on your clothing or a DEET based spray on your skin and check yourself frequently as ticks seldom attach themselves

within the first few hours. Keep in mind that prompt removal of ticks may prevent disease trans-mission. Use tweezers to remove the tick and try not to touch the tick directly with your hands. Grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible and pull gently. Don’t twist or jerk the tick and don’t try to burn it or cover it with oils. If the mouth parts break off in the skin consult a doctor and try to save the tick for identification in a sealed container. Wash the bite site and apply an antiseptic.

This next critter hazard for loggers, ounce for ounce, may cause more irritation than any other critter. It is the almost-mi-croscopic CHIGGER or redbug. Yet contrary to popular belief, chiggers don’t suck blood or burrow under the skin. They eat skin cells, which they dissolve with enzymes. The human im-mune system defends bitten areas by forming a hard wall of cells and these cells actually double as a straw-like feeding tube for the chigger. So it’s your own

immune system that causes the intense itching.

Chiggers aren’t actually in-sects, they’re immature mites – though they do scamper around on six legs causing all the trouble. Like their cousin the tick, chiggers attach themselves to their host by inserting their mouthparts into your skin, usually at hair fol-licles. Fortunately, unlike their cousins, chiggers don’t transmit disease. But keep in mind, all that scratching can cause the area to get infected. Treating the chigger bites is reasonably simple, clean the area with hot soapy water as soon as possible and treat with over the counter lotions to help stop the itching. Prevention is the same as their cousin the tick, use a good DEET based spray or treat your clothing and try to avoid sitting or laying in commonly infested areas like pine straw and weedy areas.

Well, that’s all the space I have for critters this issue – Re-member, Safety Pays. n

member ................................ city ......................................sponsorArriba Hunt Club ................... Clemmons ..........................................L.T. Baird ................................. Gaston ................................................BME Recycling ........................ Winterville .........................................Chris Cooper ........................... Sylva ...................................................Carolyn, Heidi & Lisa Cort ... Burnsville ...........................................Robert G. Currie ..................... Raeford ...............................................Joseph DuBois ......................... Bennettsville, SC ............................... Annette M Francisco ............. Denton ................................................John R Green, Jr. ..................... Cary ....................................................Hall Family Hunt Club .......... Burnsville ...........................................Sandy Hunt ............................. Lumberton .........................................Chad Jones .............................. Sylva ...................................................Chad Ray Joyce LLC .............. Sandy Ridge ......................................David King .............................. Sylva ...................................................Malcolm D Moore .................. Locust, ...................... Russell StrongSteve Moose ............................ Statesville ........Sonny Rankin Moss Supply Company ................... Charlotte ............................................Travis Norman ....................... Denton ...................... Russell StrongRose Hunt Club ...................... Jacksonville ........................................Jessie Thompson ..................... Troy.....................................................Vultare Hunting Club ............ Roanoke Rapids ................................Ronald Webb .......................... Lemon Springs ..........Dennis Hazel

With the arrival of summer, trips to the woods for work or pleasure can end up being irritating due to insects.

or those people who may have fallen out of the American Healthcare system, WorkForce Benefits seeks to create solutions

to bring them back.

problem # � Increasing numbers of uninsured employee dependents. Employers pay for most of the employee’s healthcare cost; however more and more employees can not afford to pay dependent coverage for spouse and children. With monthly premiums for family cover-age ranging from $750 to $1,400, fewer dependents are insured.solution # � Provide a Limited Medical Benefit Plan for an employ-ees Uninsured Dependents. Offer several levels of coverage and monthly premiums to bring people back to partial insurance.problem # � Many people are turned down for individual major medical insurance because of Pre-Existing Medical Conditions.solution # � Choose a Limited Medical Benefit Plan that waives the Pre-Existing Condition after six months, or a plan that is guaranteed to issue without a Pre-Existing Condition Clause.problem # � Self-Employed, Part-time, seasonal or 1099 worker that does not qualify to participate in an employers group health plan, and does not earn enough money to afford a Traditional Individual Major Medical Insurance Plan. Workers earning between minimum wage and $15 per hour have a tough time affording monthly health premiums over $350.solution # � Limited Medical Benefit Plans offer people affordable medical coverage for routine medical procedures, doctors office visits, diagnostics, annual wellness benefits, limited inpatient and outpatient surgery and prescription drug coverage.problem # 4 Employers are raising deductibles, co-pays, and coinsurance and reducing health coverage to lower their health insurance costs. Employees have to spend more of their income on healthcare, even depleting savings to cover their increased costs. The major source of new personal bankruptcies is due to unpaid medical bills.solution # 4 Employers need to provide employees with access to affordable NEW Medical GAP plans and Critical Illness insurance policies. These new plans help employees prepare for unexpected healthcare costs and provide them with cash to deal with higher medical expenses.

If you would like to learn more please contact WorkForce Benefits at 888-309-0547 or visit us at www.myworkforcebenefits.com. n

real solutions for real people

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raffle tickets on salehe Friends of Forestry Political Action Committee (FFPAC) will once again be hosting a reverse raffle as part of the NC-

FA's Annual Meeting on October 2, 2008. A reverse raffle is where the last ticket drawn is the winner. The winner wins a quarter of the pot up to $5,000. Tickets will be sold by NCFA Board Members over the next few months. Tickets are $50 for one or three for $100. Ticket holders do not have to be present to win. The reverse raffle drawing is the FFPAC’s biggest fundraiser and all NCFA members are encouraged to participate in this event. n

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NORTH CAROLINA FORESTRY ASSOCIATION 6JUNE 2008

ncfa & tree farm to host annual meetings

in hickory he NCFA’s and the North Carolina Tree Farm Program will once again combine efforts on their fall annual meetings. Both meet-

ings will take place in Hickory. The Tree Farm Annual Meeting will start on Tuesday, September 30th and run into Wednesday, October 1st. As is the standard with all Tree Farm workshops, there will be a field tour of a local Tree Farm. The NCFA’s Annual Meeting will start on October 1st and follow the customary three-day format. The host hotel will be the Holiday Inn Select Hotel of Hickory. The room rate will be $85 for a standard room. NCFA and Tree Farm members are encouraged to make their reservations (828) 323-1000 early. The topic and entertainment for this year’s meeting will be developed over the coming months. n

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nc tree farm program to sponsor six workshops

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jean & bob cooper make american tree farm final four

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he North Carolina Tree Farm program will host six workshops in 2008. These workshops all feature a speaking program in the

morning and a field tour of a local Tree Farm in the afternoon. These workshops are free and open to all forest landowners

interested in learning more about how they can effectively manage their forests for multiple uses. A free lunch will be served.

The final program and preparations are still being established at this point and more details, including how to register for these free events will be available in the future. You can learn more about these events and the North Carolina Tree Farm program by going to www.nctreefarm.org.

North Central Piedmont Region: Caswell County/Yanceyville, NC. October 18, 2008 sponsored by Steve Cox, Weyerhaeuser, Elkin.South Central Piedmont Region: Rowan County/Salisbury, NC October 25, 2008 sponsored by Ed Listerman, Culp Lumber.Northeastern NC Region: Bertie County/Windsor. October 28, 2008 sponsored by NC Tree Farm Program, Dave Woodma-nsee.Mountain Region: Haywood County, NC. November 5 or 6, 2008 sponsored by Steve Henson, Multiple Use Council.Eastern NC Region: Craven County/New Bern. TBD sponsored by NC Tree Farm Program, Dave Woodmansee.Upper Coastal Plain Region: Bladen, Cumberland, Sampson Counties. TBD sponsored by Tri-County Tree Farmers, Jess Hall. n

n May 27, a Georgia federal court overruled a finding by the Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) that a forest management plan for cypress logging was “normal silviculture” and thus did not

need a section 404 permit under the Clean Water Act. Ogeechee-Canoochee Riverkeeper, Inc. v. Corps, (S.D.Ga.)(copy attached). The case arose when the owner of Cypress Lake decided to log 60 acres of cy-press. For reasons not explained in the decision, but likely due to the controversy of the issue, the owner sought an “Exemption Determination” from the Corps. There was no other industry participation.

You should note that the court decided the case even though the owner dropped its logging plans. The court had denied the government’s motion to dismiss the case as moot because the exemption find-ing remained in effect and the company could proceed with its plans at any time.

The court made two findings of interest. It first ruled that the Corps lacked sufficient evidence to conclude that the logging was part of “ongoing silviculture.” The court states that “harvesting alone (without subsequent efforts to regenerate the forest)” is not evidence of ongoing silviculture. Slip op. at 8. The court did not express what would constitute “evidence,” but hopefully was merely unaware of natural regeneration as a silvicultural practice.

The court then ruled the Corps’ conclusion that regeneration would occur to be arbitrary and ca-pricious. Basically, the court found that the comments of both the Georgia Forestry Commission and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 6 on the proposed plan raised questions the Corps either ignored or did not answer. The questions related to whether coppice stump sprouting would be successful by itself to regenerate the tract, and clearly reflected the Louisiana controversy (note the EPA comments came from their Dallas office, not Atlanta). The court emphasized that it made no finding whether the conclusion of the Corps was incorrect, merely that the agency did not “articulate” a basis for it.

At this time, I do not know whether there will be an appeal or further proceedings. I would guess it unlikely given that the logging plan has been dropped. The questions raised by the court, while un-fortunate, do not appear to be insurmountable. Whether the court would accept the answers remains to be seen. Since most reliance on the exemption occurs without a formal determination by the Corps, this decision could have little practical effect. On the other hand, the Corps could initiate a program to review selective operations to determine what evidence exists of past silviculture, or a new Administra-tion could issue new guidelines on how to demonstrate a site has been in “ongoing silviculture.”

Chip Murray is an attorney with AF&PA. He has been a guest speaker at NCFA Annual Meetings and special wetlands workshops over the years. n

new wetlands exemption decision handed down in georgia

By Chip Murray, AF&PA

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(far right) Bob Cooper directed a tour of his Tree Farm in Winston-Sa-lem in May for representatives of the American Tree Farm System as

part of the National American Tree Farm of the Year contest.

he American Tree Farm Program an-nounced the four finalist for the Na-

tional Outstanding Tree Farmer of the Year competition for 2008. For the first time in the history of the North Carolina Tree Farm Program, North Carolina has a finalist - Jean and Bob Cooper of Winston-Salem.

The regional finalist are: North Central .....The Koerner Family, WI Southern ..............Bob & Jean Cooper, NC Northeast ................ The Olver Family, PA Western .............................Bob Mezger, OR

The National Outstanding Tree Farmer of the Year will be announced at the Na-tional Tree Farmer Convention, October 16-18 in Portland, OR.

“We are honored to be recognized with this regional selection,” stated Bob Cooper. “We have been blessed to have so many talented people who have contributed to the success of Meadowbrook Farm over the years. Our farm is a true collaborative effort of state and private forestry profes-sionals.” n

(l-r) Parker Lumpkin and his two boys, Art and Tripp, take time for a photo with Senator Doug Berger (center) prior to lunch at the

NCFA’s Forestry Day in the Legislature.

NORTH CAROLINA FORESTRY ASSOCIATION JUNE 2008 7

rural venture invests in wood pellet facility

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n San Diego at the 2008 National Annual Meeting of the Boy Scouts of America, North Carolina Representative Bill Daughtridge received the

Silver Antelope Award for his years of service to the Boy Scouts. Represen-tative Daughtridge, who was accompanied by his wife Partha, attended the annual meeting as members of the 2008 Executive Committee.

“Bill is a man of great integrity who exemplifies the values of the Boy Scouts of America in every way,” commented Nick Boddie, a member of the National Court of Honor that annually bestows this award.

Representative Daughtridge was the only Scouter from North Carolina to receive the award. It is granted to registered Scouters of exceptional character for outstanding service to youth. Daughtridge continues his involvement in Boy Scouts as a member of the Southern Region Board. He has served as Area President and member of the Council Charter Review Committee and Eagle Scholarship Selection Committee. He speaks to Boy Scouts across the region and is a proponent of character development for our youth within his legisla-tive role at the North Carolina General Assembly.

Daughtride started his affiliation with the Boys Scouts as a Cub Scout and later earned his Eagle Scout in Troop 11, Rocky Mount, North Carolina. He continued to serve the organization and recalls one of his fondest memories is a five-day kayak trip through four ecosystems with his Eagle Scout son, Gray. n

ncfa member bill daughtridge receives national boy scout award

Bill Daughtridge

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biomass conference entitled, Charting a Course for Biofuels, Biopower, and Bioproducts, will take place on September 22-23,

2008 at the Raleigh Convention Center. The conference will provide a forum at which varied biomass

interests; such as industry, investors, researchers, agencies, policy makers, NGOs, feedstock producers, and others; can collaborate across interstate and regional boundaries,

The conference will be sponsored by:National Association of State Energy Officials Southern States Energy Board State Energy OfficeNorth Carolina State University Extension ForestrySouthern Agriculture & Forestry Energy Resources Alliance Southern Growth Policies Board Southern Alliance for Clean EnergyN.C. State University, College of Agriculture and Life SciencesCollege of Natural ResourcesSouthern States Biobased Alliance

You can learn more on the web at www.ces.ncsu.edu/nreos/for-est/feop/biomass-south/2008.html. n

biomass south �008scheduled for raleigh

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two prologger classes graduate

ProLogger graduates from the Southeastern Community College pose for a photo.

ProLogger graduates from the McDowell Community College pose for a photo.

he N.C. Rural Economic Development Center today announced it will invest $350,000 in a wood pellet manufacturer in Franklin.

The company, Carolina Wood Pellets, will convert scrap wood and sawdust into pellets suitable for use in stoves, fireplaces and some coal-burning electric plants.

The investment is the fifth since the center launched its Rural Venture Fund last fall.

“Carolina Wood Pellets will make money and create jobs while turning a waste product into fuel,” said Rural Center President Billy Ray Hall. “We are pleased to be a partner in a company that makes environmental as well as business sense.”

The center’s investment is part of a larger financing package to build and equip the manufacturing plant. Carolina Wood Pellets will be located adjacent to Steve’s Custom Log Homes, which will be a primary source of wood scraps. Both are owned and operated by Steven H. Smith. Lumber mills and flooring companies in and around Macon County also are expected to supply raw materials.

Wood pellets are a relatively new fuel source promoted as an alternative to fossil fuels. The residential market accounts for the vast majority of sales.

Once fully operational, the new plant is expected to create 32 jobs.

The Rural Venture Fund has previously invested $1.4 million in four companies across the state. All together, the five investments are expected to generate 360 new jobs by 2012. The fund targets existing businesses with growth potential in economically distressed counties for investments of $50,000 to $350,000.

The Rural Center created the fund as part of a broader effort to boost entrepreneurship in North Carolina. It is capitalized at $6.8 million, with investments from the N.C. General Assembly, Golden LEAF and the Rural Center. As part of the program, the Rural Center and its partners, including the University of North Carolina system, provide client companies with targeted technical assistance to man-age their long-term growth.

The N.C. Rural Economic Development Center is a private, nonprofit organization whose mission is to develop sound economic strategies that improve the quality of life in rural North Carolina, with a special focus on individuals with low to moderate incomes and communities with limited resources. The center operates a mul-tifaceted program that includes conducting research into rural issues; testing promising rural development strategies; advocating for policy and program innovations; and building the productive capacity of rural leaders, entrepreneurs and community organizations.n

NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION

U.S. POSTAGE PAIDRaleigh, NC

Permit No. 459

North Carolina Forestry Association1600 Glenwood Ave., Suite IRaleigh, NC 27608919-834-3943 / 800-231-7723

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