Winter 2022-23 WVFA Mountain State FORESTRY
Advertise in WVFA Mountain State Forestry! Advertising in Mountain State Forestry is an opportunity to build awareness for your brand, create new purchasing opportunities, and promote the image of your company. Give your company the best chance to reach this exclusive target audience of presidents, CEO’s, and key decision makers in West Virginia’s Forestry industry! ADVERTISING RATES STARTING AT $190! • WVFA members receive special discounts. •
5 | Message from the Executive Director 6 | Message from the President Featured News 8 | Tom Cover’s Path Rooted in Love for West Virginia’s Forests 10 | Breaking News Around the State 12 | Davis & Elkins College Introduces New Forestry Program Tree Farm News 16 | Kevin Gregory: West Virginia Tree Farmer of the Year 2022 West Virginia Loggers Council News 19 | Logging Safety—Improving the Bottom Line Sustainable Forestry Initiative 22 | SFI New Standards on Smart Climate and Biodiversity PAGE 25 Membership Application • Membership Application • CONTENTS BOARD OF DIRECTORS Aaron Plaugher, President...........WestRock Joe McNeel, 1st VP ....................... Appalachian Hardwood Center Anthony Raines, 2nd VP..............Rainco Forest Resources Kayla Springer, Secretary/Treasurer John Holstine, Past President....Holstine Forestry Ben Spong......................................... Appalachian Hardwood Center Brian Booth.......................................Allegheny Wood Products Buddy Downey................................WG Downey Consulting Dan Parker.........................................Tillinghast & Neely Davis Pierson....................................Pierson Lumber Denzil Linton.....................................Allegheny Wood Products Gary Claypool..................................J.P. Hamer Lumber Gary Keaton....................................... Lyme Mountaineer Timberlands James Smith......................................Pixelle Specialty Solutions Jamie Dever.......................................Landmark Forestry Jeff Knollinger....................................Red Oak Timber Company Kirby Funderburke..........................Individual Lance Fairchild.................................Weyerhaeuser Mark Wilson......................................Allegheny Wood Products Matthew Lane...................................Coastal Timberlands Michael Sammons..........................Triple S Farms Ron Sammons.................................Sammons Logging Ronnie Sites......................................LC Logging Rusty Leonard..................................Northwest Hardwoods Sharon Glasscock..........................Laurel Creek Hardwoods Tom Crickenberger.........................WestRock Tommy George.................................Individual West Virginia Forestry Association, Inc. 2008 Quarrier St., Charleston, WV 25311 681-265-5019 | wvfa@wvfa.org PUBLISHER LLM Publications Grandt Mansfield........................................Advertising Sales 503-445-2226 | grandt@llmpubs.com Hiakato Draconas.......................................Design & Layout STAFF Eric Carlson............................................... Executive Director Kayla Springer. ......................................... Accounting Manager Ed Kraynok................................................. Program Manager © 2022. The contents of this publication may not be reproduced or distributed electronically or mechanically, either in whole or in part, without the express written consent of the West Virginia Forestry Association. The advertisers assume complete responsibility to use any or all brand names, trademarks, guarantees, and statements which appear in their advertisements. Breaking News Around the State Biomass Refineries and Tri-Colored Bats 10
M E S S A G E F R OM T H E E X E C U T I V E D I R E C T O R www.wvfa.org Winter 2022-23 | West Virginia Forestry Association Mountain State Forestry 5 Adapting to change is always difficult and our forests are always changing. As an organization, we have made many updates to adapt to the changing world and workforce of today. Three years ago, we asked our members what services they value. We made important and necessary changes, created a leaner staff, focused on advocacy, continued our print and digital publications, and worked with other organizations to deliver stronger results. This summer, the membership approved a revised by-laws that also made our Board of Directors leaner and more effective. Changes are occurring everywhere. We will miss West Virginia State Forester Tom Cover. I was fortunate enough to attend undergraduate forestry school with Tom decades ago, and saw him as a student hungry to learn during those years. His experience with private sector and public forestry developed a leadership style and dedication to forestry that has made an impact since then. We expect to see him a lot in the future as a State Forester Emeritus. We are sharing the new professional forestry program at Davis and Elkins College, which has benefitted by long time WVFA member June Miles. Ms. Miles has been a generous benefactor to professional forestry education for many years. WVFA continues to work on issues that impact forest owners, loggers, and manufacturers (some long-standing), workers’ compensation, tort reform, forest taxation, highway safety and improvements, professional forest licensing, and the many benefits of sustainable forest management. Emerging issues always challenge an organization like WVFA that includes the entire supply chain of forest owners, loggers, truckers, brokers, primary and secondary manufacturers—many of whom compete for raw materials, labor, and markets every day. Finding common ground is the role of the board and staff. Climate change and the approaches to mitigating changes in our world has put the value of forest to sequester carbon front and center. WVFA is working to find what role we should take to assure we see stronger demand for all forest products, thus increasing the value of forest ownership and a stronger forest products industry. Forest carbon developers are numerous in the state, and WVFA has been working to help our members and our elected officials to understand the implications this emerging market is having on the industry and forest ownership. Our goal is best representing our members and finding the best approaches in public policy that benefit the entire forest community. We will continue to grow in both size and effectiveness when we accomplish this balance. Eric Carlson Executive Director WVFA is working to find what role we should take to assure we see stronger demand for all forest products, thus increasing the value of forest ownership and a stronger forest products industry.
M E S S A G E F R OM T H E P R E S I D E N T 6 West Virginia Forestry Association Mountain State Forestry | Winter 2022-23 www.wvfa.org Another change of season is upon us as I write this message. Smoke once again drifts from the wood stove. The only leaves remaining in my little valley in Greenbrier County stubbornly cling to the oaks on the edge of my neighbor’s pasture. The Woolly bears are predicting a mild winter with a long stretch of brown between narrow black ends. The change of seasons is welcome as it marks the progression of time and the opportunity to move forward. Change is occurring not only in the length of the daylight hours and the weather, but also within the West Virginia Forestry Association. John Holstine, who did an excellent job over the past two years handling the tasks of the association president, has completed his term and I am stepping into the role. New board members have started their terms as others have rolled off, and we are operating under a revised set of by-laws approved at last summer’s meeting. Eric Carlson and Kayla Springer have settled into their roles with the association, and both are proving to be great assets. As often happens when thinking about change, we also recognize how some things remain the same. Although the topics may change, there are always threats to forestry and the forest industry to concern us. Economic ups and downs impact markets, labor, fuel, etc. Legislative issues, both good and bad, arise with every legislative session. Invasive species spread into new areas (spotted lanternfly) and new ones are found (elm zigzag sawfly). New opportunities arise (carbon markets and biorefineries), but often with unexpected consequences. Those who oppose logging and sustainable forest management still voice their opposition. The always present list of concerns is the reason to stay engaged with the West Virginia Forestry Association. The broad membership of the association—including landowners, foresters, loggers, manufacturers, academia, legislators, and others—all bring topics to the association’s attention. This gives us the opportunity to keep you, the members, aware of upcoming events and issues. If you know of any topics that should be addressed, please reach out and bring them to our attention, and if you know of others with an interest in forestry or the forest industry, recommend that they become members so that we can remain strong in number as an organization to address these topics. I look forward to serving as the association’s president for the next two years and to seeing you at a WVFA meeting, reception, or event. Aaron Plaugher Board President Change is occurring not only in the length of the daylight hours and the weather, but also within the West Virginia Forestry Association. John Holstine, who did an excellent job over the past two years handling the tasks of the association president, has completed his term and I am stepping into the role.
F E A T U R E D N E W S 8 West Virginia Forestry Association Mountain State Forestry | Winter 2022-23 www.wvfa.org AS HE PREPARES FOR RETIREMENT, West Virginia Division of Forestry Director Tom Cover recalls a meeting of emergency officials last year. Cover says the issue of fire protection came up, and a question was directed to the assistant state forester in charge of fire protection for the state. “How many fires have you had in the state this year?” a group member asked. Cover said the forester responded quickly, “How many do you think we’ve had?” “I would guess about 10,” came the response from the group. This is the part where Cover got very serious. My forester told them, “We’ve had 637 fires.” The importance of every square inch of the Mountain State’s forests rests on Tom Cover’s shoulders, and his love for the forest encompasses every square inch of his heart. Growing up in Pocahontas County, admiring the state’s beautiful landscape started at an early age for Cover. “The first time I was ever on a logging job, I was probably eight or nine years old, and my grandad was a logger, too,” Cover said. “He took me down to a logging job—they were skidding with horses—and the logger let me ride the horse that day.” Cover said he knew from that point forward where his path would take him. He carries decades of the state’s history inside him, from family stories recounting when Italians began logging in the state to being hands-on with forestry for 20 years. Tom Cover’s Path Rooted in Love for West Virginia’s Forests
F E A T U R E D N E W S www.wvfa.org Winter 2022-23 | West Virginia Forestry Association Mountain State Forestry 9 “When they called and asked if I would take over the Division of Forestry, I was totally unprepared,” Cover said. “This is a whole new learning experience.” Cover, who wears many hats as the director, says he trusts the people who work for him, and he lets them do their job. He says that’s been the key to managing the division well. “It’s been a short three years [as director], but it’s been good,” Cover said. “When it comes down to it, the Division of Forestry does the best job.” This brings us back to the hundreds of fires forestry officials must take on each year. “I would like to see our people better recognized,” Cover said. “They go out in the middle of the night to fight a fire, and nobody recognizes that. They don’t complain and could go to industry anytime and double their pay, but they choose to stay in this position.” Seemingly forgetting to talk about how he plans to spend his retirement, Cover details the respect, adoration, and pride he has for his entire team and the forests they are in charge of caring for. Cover says forests have to be properly managed in order to be maintained and he knows the care and discipline that goes into protecting and nourishing the third most forested state in the nation will remain after his departure. “I’ve seen things on a daily basis that most people would never see in their lifetime,” Cover said. “It’s so quiet, and sometimes the only thing you hear are the birds, and in the fall, you can hear the leaves fall out of the trees and hit the ground.” Cover says it doesn’t get much better than a walk in the woods during the spring or fall. And that love for the forest is what carried him to where he is now, leading him to believe retirement isn’t going to be easy. “The thing is, I’m retiring from the division—I’m not retiring from forestry.” p.s. Cover’s favorite tree is the Sugar Maple. The importance of every square inch of the Mountain State’s forests rests on Tom Cover’s shoulders, and his love for the forest encompasses every square inch of his heart.
F E A T U R E D N E W S 10 West Virginia Forestry Association Mountain State Forestry | Winter 2022-23 www.wvfa.org BREAKING NEWS AROUND THE STATE Climate Strategy Venture Buys the Forestland Group Timberlands AN INVESTMENT CONSORTIUM has purchased the 1.7-million-acre timberland portfolio of The Forestland Group for $1.8 billion. A Nov. 2 announcement states that Anew Climate and an Oak Hill Advisors-led investor group acquired the landholdings and plans to focus on climate issues. Anew Climate is joined by Blue Source Sustainable Forests Co. in the purchase and entered into two agreements to buy an additional 200,000 acres. “BSFC’s ownership of these properties will bring the highest degree of care and focus on creating real, additional, and measurable environmental benefits for decades to come,” Jamie Houston, Blue Source’s CEO, said in the statement. “We are thrilled to shift the management strategy to a model that enables the trees to be valued for their carbon permanence and global ecological benefit.” The companies called the transactions one of the largest private forest carbon investments in the United States. It includes land in West Virginia, Virginia, and other states. The Forestland Group is based in Chapel Hill, NC, and is an AHMI Forestry Division member. The company was founded in 1995 by leaders in conservation and academia and it delivers large-scale climate change mitigation, strategic conservation outcomes, and portfolio returns through the ownership and management of working forests. Blue Source plans to sustainably manage and maintain the land following strict carbon development requirements and having selective harvests that are significantly below annual tree growth levels, according to the statement. The selective harvests will help restore native biodiversity and strengthen natural defenses against disasters such as fire and disease, while also producing high-value timber products, the companies said. The deal also increases Anew’s carbon development portfolio, which includes public and private lands, to over 5.6 million acres in mostly North America, the companies said. Anew is an environmental services firm that is majority-owned by TPG Rise, a global impact investing platform run by private equity shop TPG Capital. “Forests, sustainably managed, are and will be a major climate mitigation tool with substantial benefits to local ecosystems and communities,” Bill Townsend, Anew’s chief strategy officer, said in the same statement.
F E A T U R E D N E W S www.wvfa.org Winter 2022-23 | West Virginia Forestry Association Mountain State Forestry 11 Tri-Colored Bat Proposed for Listing by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Another bat species is proposed for listing as “Endangered” by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. This is sad, but a continuing saga of the White Nose Syndrome in bat species. Initially found in New York in 2006, this fungal disease has spread throughout North America. Some scientists predict regional extinction of all bat species. Bats species are common in forests throughout West Virginia and most species rely on some tree species for critical stages of their life cycle. Protecting the hibernacula where they overwinter and delaying harvesting of some tree species has been the traditional approach to conserving the habitat in hopes of increasing the population, but these measures are proving to fail as the fungal diseases continues to wipe out bats. Biomass Refineries Interested inWest Virginia Companies from France, Taiwan, and Korea are visiting the state looking for sties to build biorefineries. The recent Inflation Reduction Act offers a tax credit incentive for biorefineries. These companies use bark, limbs, and any form of biomass to transform into two basic products: “green” methanol and biochar. Each of the units for these companies requires about 40,000 tons of biomass annually. The units can easily be put in multiple lines as markets and availability of biomass progresses.
F E A T U R E D N E W S 12 West Virginia Forestry Association Mountain State Forestry | Winter 2022-23 www.wvfa.org IF YOU COULD MARRY the Randolph County region’s natural resources with cutting edge technology, you would likely come up with a unique field of study wrapped around sustainable management. That is exactly what happened at Davis & Elkins College this fall with the introduction of two new programs. Students may pursue a Bachelor of Science degree in sustainable resource management or an Associate of Science degree in forest technology while completing much of their field study on a 300-acre George A. Myles Experimental Forest gifted to the College by Trustee Chair Emerita June Myles. Although initiating programs associated with forestry seems to be a natural choice considering Davis & Elkins’ location in the heart of the Monongahela National Forest, the vision was more far-reaching. Following a presidential initiative to grow programs that pique student interest and serve the greater community, Associate Professor of Biology and Environmental Science Dr. Crystal Krause and Assistant Professor of Outdoor Recreation Dr. Mark Douglas were tasked with creating a new major that encompasses some of the College’s most successful fields associated with the state’s natural wonders. The new programs would also need to include partnerships with the U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife, and West Virginia Division of Natural Resources. “We developed the three sustainable resource management specializations with those partners in mind and considered how we could clearly outline degree outcomes (jobs) to the three specializations,” Krause explained. “Once those were in place, it was just a matter of researching how our program could be different from other programs in the region, with a focus on sustainability and technology.” The sustainable resource management major offers three areas of concentration: natural resources management, forest resources management and parks, and recreation management. All three focus on the sustainable use of natural resources such as watershed management, forestry, and recreation. Krause said the program will appeal to students seeking a career as a conservationist, fish and wildlife biologist, forester or park ranger, among other fields. The forest technology major prepares students for a career as a forestry technician, procurement forester, or utility forester. DAVIS & ELKINS COLLEGE INTRODUCES NEW FORESTRY PROGRAM
F E A T U R E D N E W S www.wvfa.org Winter 2022-23 | West Virginia Forestry Association Mountain State Forestry 13 With the academic outline in place, the college wanted to step up its efforts to including a living laboratory that would help the program thrive and place it on a grander scale. That’s where Myles came in with an offer to gift the 300-acre site just outside of Beverly. “Randolph County is a natural classroom and laboratory for studies in the conservation and management of our natural resources,” Myles said. “Likewise, to make use of this learning, the area offers many opportunities for internships and careers, both private and public. In addition to timber and energy, there is an abundance of outdoor recreational activities requiring management. So, it is logical that D&E should embark on a new curriculum to make use of the possibilities for its students in the college’s backyard.” Myles’ father, the late George A. Myles, founded Myles Lumber Company in Randolph County and was a longtime proponent of the state’s forest industry. “D&E is so grateful to June Myles for her continuing generosity and her strong desire to have this college transform the lives of students and produce graduates who will serve this local community and beyond,” said Davis & Elkins College President Chris A. Wood. “Being located at the gateway of the Monongahela National Forest, it is appropriate that we begin a top-notch program in Natural Resource Management focusing upon our forests.” Assistant Professor of Sustainable Resource Management Dr. Melissa Shockey and Forest Manager Iris Allen were recently added to the faculty. This fall, Shockey has been leading students on an exploration of how to identify native species, their most common habitats, and their chances for survival. By semester’s end, students will have studied more than 100 species. Aside from the basic dendrology, students have another curiosity in the experimental forest— whether certain fruits are edible. “It’s actually been something I think the students look forward to,” Shockey said. “Some fruits have been hit or miss, such as autumn olive (Elaeagnus umbellata), but others like pawpaw (Asimina triloba) we have been watching like a hawk to ripen and harvest. Our office has smelled of pawpaws for at least a month now. For other species such as elderberry (Sambucus canadensis), the conversation is more along the lines of, ‘Yes, these are edible, however only after cooking into delicious products such as pies, jams, and wine.’ Eating the unprocessed berries as a snack in the woods could lead to cyanide poisoning.” Next semester, students will take a winter excursion and learn how to identify common plants just by using bark, buds, and branching arrangement once the leaves have fallen for the season. As forest manager, Allen is mapping old logging trails to identify potential routes for hiking trails and areas that could be developed into campsites. Looking ahead, she is also preparing the sampling protocol for when she inventories the forest this summer. Allen is also working with the Society of American Foresters (SAF) accreditation process for the forest technology associate degree. The report will be submitted next year. Students interested in learning more about the Sustainable Resource Management program at Davis & Elkins College may email Krause at krausec@dewv.edu or contact the Office of Admissions at 304-637-1230 or admissions@dewv.edu.
14 West Virginia Forestry Association Mountain State Forestry | Winter 2022-23 www.wvfa.org
W V L O G G E R S C O U N C I L N E W S 15 West Virginia Forestry Association Mountain State Forestry | Winter 2022-23 www.wvfa.org WV Tree Farm Committee | 2008 Quarrier St., Charleston, WV 25311 | 681-265-5019 | wvfa@wvfa.org Keeping You Informed
T R E E F A R M N E W S 16 West Virginia Forestry Association Mountain State Forestry | Winter 2022-23 www.wvfa.org Kevin Gregory West Virginia Tree Farmer of the Year 2022
T R E E F A R M N E W S www.wvfa.org Winter 2022-23 | West Virginia Forestry Association Mountain State Forestry 17 EACH YEAR, the West Virginia Tree Farm Committee recognizes a landowner who does exemplary work on their Tree Farm. This year, Kevin Gregory of Ireland, WV, was nominated and selected as the 2022 Tree Farmer of the Year. Kevin was nominated by WV Division of Forestry forester Danny James with support from testimonials from friends, neighbors, and natural resources professionals. Kevin served in the United States Army for 29 years. After eleven moves in eight states and two different countries, he retired and returned home to West Virginia to live on and manage his 202 acres of land in Lewis & Braxton Counties. Kevin lives in Braxton County with his wife Brenda (Gabby) and they have two daughters Melissa and Adeline, both of Fairmont, WV. They have all helped on the property working with chainsaws, weed eaters, axes, and hatchets. Together they have already achieved many goals for their ten-year plan. Their plan aims to improve all the values that their forest can provide: timber, wildlife, recreation, soil and water, and scenic beauty. In 2019, Kevin started his own business named Eagle Land Transformations, a wildlife habitat planning and management company. His company provides invasive species control and removal, excavation services, land clearing and improvements, and conservation practices. Kevin promotes forest management by inspiring and recruiting landowners, educators, and professionals to participate in conservation efforts. He voices his thoughts to local, state, and regional political leaders, and shares stories and advice with others about the conservation practices he carries out on his farm. Kevin writes weekly conservation articles in The Braxton Citizens’ Newspaper. And he presents conservation lectures and demonstrations at Lions Club and Rotary Club meetings, as well as local high school and middle school agricultural programs. Kevin has attended the WV Tree Farm Committee and presented to them a management plan he wrote for his property. He also supported the group in getting a $5,000 grant from the National Tree Farm System to help get more landowners in West Virginia signed up to be certified tree farmers. Congratulations to Kevin Gregory and his family on this important recognition as an exemplary tree farmer! Kevin Gregory holding an invasive plant. Kevin Gregory with his tools of the trade. Kevin promotes forest management by inspiring and recruiting landowners, educators, and professionals to participate in conservation efforts.
WV Loggers Council c/o WVFA | 2008 Quarrier St., Charleston, WV 25311 | 681-265-5019 | wvlc@wvfa.org By Hellohowareyoudoing (talk), CC BY-SA 3.0, en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=22517204
W V L O G G E R S C O U N C I L N E W S www.wvfa.org Winter 2022-23 | West Virginia Forestry Association Mountain State Forestry 19 AS I RESEARCHED THE INFORMATION FOR THIS ARTICLE, I found out that the actual lighting requirements for trucks on West Virginia roadways are fairly simple, but the way the code reads it can become very confusing. The purpose of this article is to help inform you on the lighting that you are required to have. I will start with the “low-hanging fruit,” as the saying goes. Are all of the lights actually working on your tractor and trailer? I travel a lot, and with the coming of winter and more hours of darkness, it is easy to see what is and what is not working on a truck. It is amazing to see how many log trucks, chip haulers, and the like have multiple lights or lamps not working. Take the time to fix them and keep them working, and try your best to keep the dirt off the lenses so that they can be seen by others on the road. W. Va. Code §17C-15-9. Additional reflector equipment required on certain vehicles. This state statute would include all trucks and buses over eighty inches wide and over three thousand pounds. As you go forward with this article, I am including some of the code and some spread just to put things in perspective. I have researched many log truck crashes for this story and will continue to do so to see if there are any key patterns—but as you all know, we live in a state with not only a lot of two-lane roads that logs need to be hauled on, but also a lot of hills and valleys, sharp turns, and twisty roads. To navigate these roads on a daily basis takes a special kind of driver that must not only deal with our West Virginia roads, but with the weather that comes along with them! The following is part of the West Virginia lighting chapter of W. Va. Code §17C-15-9. Additional lighting and reflector equipment required on certain vehicles. You will see from its wording that it can be confusing from the start. LOGGING SAFETY—IMPROVING THE BOTTOM LINE By Patrick Donnelly, WVU Extension—Safety & Health Research Assistant, Timber Safe
W V L O G G E R S C O U N C I L N E W S 20 West Virginia Forestry Association Mountain State Forestry | Winter 2022-23 www.wvfa.org West Virginia truck and trailer lighting requirements: a. On every truck and bus shall be the following: • On the rear, two reflectors, one on each side, and one stop light, one on each side b. On every truck or bus eighty inches or more in overall width they must also have: • Two clearance lights, one on each side, same on the rear • On each side two side marker lamps, one at or near the front and one at or near the rear c. On every tractor, one must have: • Two clearance lamps one on each side, on the rear, one stop on each side d. On every trailer or semitrailer having a gross weight in three thousand pounds • On the front, two clearance lamps, one at each side • On each side, two side marker lights, one at or near the front, and one at or near the rear • On each side, two reflectors, one at or near the front and one at or near the rear • On the rear, two clearance lamps, one at each side and also two reflectors, one at each side, and one stop light e. On every pole trailer in excess of three thousand pounds • On each side, one side marker lamp and one clearance lamp which may be in combination, to show to the front, side, and rear • On the rear of the trailer or load, two reflectors, one at each side
W V L O G G E R S C O U N C I L N E W S www.wvfa.org Winter 2022-23 | West Virginia Forestry Association Mountain State Forestry 21 This is the short version and there are many more applications listed in W. Va. Code §17C15. I include the one above as a reference for the basics that truckers will need. They can be very onerous if you let them be. So, I go back to my original statement, “Make sure everything is working, be up to code, and keep them clean in order for the vehicles around you to see them!” In researching log truck crashes, I realized that OSHA does not investigate roadway crashes; that job is done by the police or the DOT. The only time OSHA will is during an accident involving a truck on the logging job itself. From the research that I have found, there have been no investigations by OSHA in West Virginia in at least eight years regarding accidents on the job site with a truck. Several crashes I have looked into have occurred in various places around our great state. 1. The first one I looked into was probably the most relatable to all of us today. A fullyloaded triaxle was at a stop light and was fully stopped. Behind him came a half-ton pickup. From the initial report, the fella never hit his brakes and plowed into the back of the truck, totaling the pickup and doing damage to the log truck. The pickup driver was uninjured, but the log truck driver sustained neck injuries. Also from the report, the pickup driver was on his cell phone and never saw the truck until he hit it. All of the lights were working on the log truck. 2. The second wreck happened during daylight hours and involved a pickup truck crossing over the center line and hitting a log truck head on. The driver of the pickup was pronounced dead at the scene and the passenger was taken to the hospital with serious injuries. 3. The third one is also very scary. This crash was during daylight hours as well, and resulted in injuries to all three people in the car. From the initial report, the young girls pulled out into the path of an oncoming log truck. The truck did not have the ability to stop and hit the car. The purpose of this article has been twofold. The first was to lay out the basic lighting requirements and talk a little bit about the importance of properly working lights. The second was to emphasize some of the tragic accidents that have occurred around our state. The fact remains that even though trucks weigh sometimes in an excess of eighty thousand pounds, they are difficult to see by some drivers. A crazy statement if there ever was one, but one which bears itself out. We work in an industry that gets a lot of negative publicity, so unsafe and under-lighted trucks only add to it! A program in the works in the coming months aims to put dash cameras on log trucks. This enables what is going on within the truck and what is going on outside to be seen. Some pilot programs have already shown great promise in demonstrating that a majority of accidents are not the fault of the truck driver. Some of the footage I have been able to view has been an eye-opener, especially when it comes to the actual crashes. These cameras can also record road and weather conditions. As we move forward with this, I look forward to the results. There has been a lot of interest from insurance companies in the program due to the fact the recordings give definitive proof of the crashes’ responsibility. There is also the possibility that the installation of these cameras can result in lower premiums. I believe all and all it is a win for the trucker out there just trying to make a living!
S U S T A I N A B L E F O R E S T R Y I N I T I A T I V E 22 West Virginia Forestry Association Mountain State Forestry | Winter 2022-23 www.wvfa.org SFI Embarks on New Standards Climate Smart Forestry and Biodiversity in Fiber Sourcing
S U S T A I N A B L E F O R E S T R Y I N I T I A T I V E www.wvfa.org Winter 2022-23 | West Virginia Forestry Association Mountain State Forestry 23 IN 2022 THE SUSTAINABLE FORESTRY INITIATIVE (SFI) Certification requires companies to comply with some new standards. Within the SFI Forest Management Standard, these include a new objective on Climate Smart Forestry. The SFI Fiber Sourcing Standard, a new objective on Biodiversity in Fiber Sourcing, is now required. Companies that have adopted SFI Certification must comply with these by the end of 2022, a rapid change. Compliance to meet these new objectives requires having criteria and indicators that can be verified by the independent auditors that monitor compliance with the SFI Standards. The West Virginia SFI State Implementation Committee (SIC) has been working with other SFI SIC’s across the country and Canada to develop an approach to comply with these new standards. CLIMATE SMART FORESTRY: West Virginia sits with the Central Appalachian forest, lending towards a regional approach to be useful for a land owner attempting to understand changes in the landscape that forest managers will need to adapt to continue to manage sustainably. SFI has worked with the State Implementation Committees (SIC) across the country to comply this new objective and provide some guidance for managers. The Northeast and the Southeast SICs have been working with the USDA Climate Hub to understand the scope and nature of climate changes and have developed reports that help forest managers understand the various adaptations that should be considered in order to meet the new objective. The reports include a suite of forest practices that can assist a forest manager to adapt to the changing climate. These include basic infrastructure changes for controlling higher intensity and duration of rainfall, along with biological changes as forests have higher temperatures. These reports are available by sending a request to wvfa@wvfa.org. BIODIVERSITY IN FIBER SOURCING: This new objective requires companies certified under the SFI Fiber Sourcing Standard to address understanding the presence of globally important flora and fauna. West Virginia has 142 species that meet this requirement. However, not all 142 species are present where forest management will have an impact. The West Virginia SIC is teaming up with the WV Department of Natural Resources to work through this list and identify the habitats and species most likely impacted by forest management. This group of experts will also recommend practices to further protect these species and their habitats. The final product will be a suite of communications to foresters, loggers, and landowners where companies certified to the SFI Fiber Sourcing Standard operate and harvest. This endeavor is expected to be completed in early 2023, in time for verification by independent auditors. The West Virginia SIC is teaming up with the WV Department of Natural Resources to work through this list and identify the habitats and species most likely impacted by forest management. This group of experts will also recommend practices to further protect these species and their habitats.
24 West Virginia Forestry Association Mountain State Forestry | Winter 2022-23 www.wvfa.org
www.wvfa.org Winter 2022-23 | West Virginia Forestry Association Mountain State Forestry 25 Membership Application Name_ ________________________________________________________ Company_ _____________________________________________________ Address_ ______________________________________________________ City___________________________________________________________ State___________________________________ Zip_ __________________ Phone (Home)__________________________________________________ (Work)_ _________________________________________________ (Cell)____________________________________________________ (Fax)____________________________________________________ Yes! I want to receive my correspondence by email ___________________________________________________ Membership Category (See column to the right) ______________________________________________________________ Amount Enclosed _______________________________________________ Sponsors Name _ _______________________________________________ (only current WVFA members are eligible for sponsor benefits) New Member Signature __________________________________________ Email Address_ _________________________________________________ (for eNewsletter and alerts) Credit Card Payment Visa MasterCard AmEx Name on Card__________________________________________________ Card # Exp. Date Billing Zipcode Security Code Authorized Signature Membership Category & Annual Dues Amounts INDIVIDUAL $60 WOODLAND OWNER $0.05 per acre for the first 25,000 acres & $0.0165 for each additional acre ($60 minimum) CONSULTING FORESTERS $85 (one forester in firm) $50 (for each additional forester in firm) SAWMILL $155/MMbf ($75 minimum) MANUFACTURING $150 plus $3/employee DIMENSION, MILLWORK, CABINETMAKERS $150 plus $3/employee WHOLESALES & DEALERS $180–$1,000 BROKERS $500 LOGGERS $110 (+$25 per additional crew) (dual membership in WV Loggers Council & WVFA) PLYWOOD, VENEER, AND MANUFACTURED BOARD MILLS 0–10.5 MM sq. ft. = $300 More than 10.5 MM sq. ft. = $0.30 per thousand sq. ft. of previous year’s production STEWARD $800 beyond appropriate category dues SUSTAINING $1,200 beyond appropriate category dues STUDENT $20 SUPPORTING $500–$1,000 (any business not meeting another membership category) NON-SAWMILL, OUT-OF-STATE CONVERTING FACILITY SOURCING WOOD FIBER MATERIALS IN WV $0.01 per ton consumed Send this form to: West Virginia Forestry Association, Inc. 2008 Quarrier St., Charleston, WV 25311
26 West Virginia Forestry Association Mountain State Forestry | Winter 2022-23 www.wvfa.org M A R K E T P L A C E ADVERTISING RATES STARTING AT $190! • WVFA members receive special discounts. • Advertise in WVFA Mountain State Forestry today! Advertising in Mountain State Forestry is an opportunity to build awareness for your brand, create new purchasing opportunities, and promote the image of your company. Give your company the best chance to reach this exclusive target audience of presidents, CEOs, and key decision makers in West Virginia’s Forestry industry! ISSUE Spring 23 AD DEADLINE Jan 30
West Virginia Forestry Association 2008 Quarrier St. Charleston, WV 25311
wvfa.orgRkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTY1NDIzOQ==