Timber Bulletin Nov/Dec - Minnesota Forest Industries

THE VOICE OF THE TIMBER INDUSTRYTIMBERBULLETINDULUTH, MINNESOTA NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2001 VOLUME 57

THE VOICE OF THE TIMBER INDUSTRYTIMBERBULLETININ THIS ISSUETPA Submits Guideline Comments.............8________________________________________________________________________________Tenstrike Leader “Babe” Fellows Dies......10________________________________________________________________________________Log A Load For Kids Program..................14________________________________________________________________________________News From Around the Woods................18_________________________________________________________________________________TPA Board Meeting ....................................21________________________________________________________________________________Loggers of the Past .....................................23________________________________________________________________________________Classifieds....................................................26________________________________________________________________________________Advertisers Index .......................................26________________________________________________________________________________TIMBER PRODUCERSASSOCIATIONPresidentCLARENCE JOHNSONPast PresidentRAMON KILLMER1st Vice PresidentLOWELL PITTACK2nd Vice PresidentDALE ERICKSONSecretary/TreasurerWARREN JOHNSONEditorWAYNE E. BRANDTGraphic Design, Editorial andMechanical ProductionSTEWART-TAYLOR PRINTINGMinnesotaTimber ProducersAssociationON THE COVERWinter in Minnesota.The Timber Bulletin is published six times annually,in February, April, June, August, October andDecember by the Minnesota Timber ProducersAssociation, located at 903 Medical Arts Bldg.,324 W. Superior St., Duluth, Minn. MinnesotaTimber Producers Association members receivethe Timber Bulletin at an annual subscription rateof $15 which is included in their membership dues.Periodicals postage paid in Duluth, Minnesota.Advertising rates and data on request. The viewsexpressed in the Timber Bulletin do not necessarilyreflect the views or opinions of the MinnesotaTimber Producers Association.Postmaster: Please send address correctionsto TIMBER BULLETIN, Minnesota TimberProducers Association, 903 Medical Arts Bldg.,324 W. Superior St., Duluth, Minnesota 55802,Phone 218-722-5013.Issn: 10973532 – USPS: 01620841420Volume 57November/December 2001Duluth, MinnesotaNews FromAround theWoods18No articles may be reprinted without written permissionfrom the Minnesota Timber Producers Association.Timber Bulletin November/December 20013

TPA Blasts ChippewaNational ForestAs I sit down to write thiscolumn our early Decemberweather looks more like lateOctober – being 50 degreesyesterday and raining today. I’msure we are all ready for coldweather to set in so we can getstarted on our winter sales.The TPA Executive Board hashad several meetings recently.Some of the issues discussedinclude the timber harvestingPresident’sColumnguidelineswhich arebeingreviewedthis yearand theproposed DNRtimber salecontract. Bothsubjects are veryimportant to ourmembersbecause we areaffected by them each day on thejob. We are also busy selectingcandidates to be interviewed forour field representative from themany applications we havereceived recently.With the market conditionssomewhat questionable, I’mhoping everyone has aproductive winter – andremember to log safely.The Minnesota Timber ProducersAssociation (TPA) today blasted thegovernment’s management of theChippewa National Forest. TPAlabeled the U.S. Forest Service’smanagement oversight of theChippewa as “insensitive to thelong-term economic hardship itwas forcing on the logging familiesof northern Minnesota.”Focus of the TPA anger iscontained in the public records thatindicate that the Forest Service hasdrastically diminished the amountof timber being allowed for publicsale in the Chippewa by more than60 percent in just the past threeyears.TPA Executive Vice PresidentWayne Brandt accused thegovernment of “filling the role ofthe Forest Grinch in delivering toMinnesota’s logging families aholiday of uncertainty andunhappiness as a direct result ofthe agency’s willingness to followpolicies that are hurting theeconomy of northern Minnesota.This policy of strangling theamount of timber allowed forharvest has forced unjustifiableeconomic burdens on the backs ofnorthern Minnesota loggingfamilies who depend on a reliableand predictable supply of timberfrom the Chippewa NationalForest.”Brandt said that the ForestService’s continued adherence tothis wrong-headed policy ofharvest reduction is harmful to allsegments of the state’s now-fragileeconomy. “Anybody with anysense,” Brandt said, "can see thekind of recession this state and ourentire country is in right now. Ourstate is facing a deficit of almost $2billion dollars. As more and moreloggers make less and less moneybecause of fewer and fewer treesbeing set for harvest, the taxreceipts of our state, our cities, ourcounties and our towns andvillages is only going to becomemore dire.“The same is true for the federalgovernment,” Brandt said. “Thegovernment treasury that pays thesalaries of the Forest Serviceemployees is being strangled intodeficit, in part as a result of lostrevenues that normally would flowto the government from the sales oftimber within the national forests,”said Brandt.The TPA’s anger boiled over inthe wake of the decision by theBlackduck Ranger District of theChippewa National Forest tosupport a policy that will now offer75 percent less timber volume thanthe district’s original proposalearlier this year.“The Winnie North VegetationEnvironmental Assessment originalproposal called for significantlyhigher timber harvesting volumes.Now, those essential harvestvolumes are being cut dramaticallyas a result of the highlyquestionableand enormouslysuspect policy reversal by theBlackduck District,” Brandt said.The revised Winnie North EA isproposing to conduct shelterwoodharvests in old age (70-year-old)aspen stands. Shelterwoodharvests are designed for treespecies that are shade tolerant andregenerate by seeding themselves.Aspen is a shade intolerant specieswhich requires direct sunlight tonaturally regenerate itself.The loggers organizationestimates that by abandoning itsprevious position and resorting tothe new proposal of untenableharvesting reductions, the ForestService in the Blackduck Districtwill be directly responsible for theloss of 71 jobs and almost $5million in lost revenues andeconomic activity in the region.The TPA is asking members ofMinnesota’s congressionaldelegation to pay particularattention to the fact that this vastlyreduced timber allocation from theChippewa will result in a loss tothe federal government of almost aquarter of a million dollars.“Not only is this the wrongmanagement approach for the localeconomy, it jeopardizes the veryforest stands to be managed. If theChippewa goes forward with thisapproach for managing aspen, TPAsees a future of brush and notforest for these areas,” concludedBrandt.4 Timber Bulletin November/December 2001

You meet a lot of nice people inthis life. One of the nicest I had thepleasure of knowing was BabeFellows. Babe passed away inNovember and he will be missedby all of us. As a long time directorof TPA, he was always looking tothe future. What should theorganization be doing, what wasbest for everyone and how shouldExecutive VicePresident’swe go aboutdoing it?Babe and Ishared alove ofbaseball. IrememberColumnhow proud he wasshowing me thenew ball field inTenstrike one daywhen I stopped by.We always shared alittle gossip afterthe Twins opening home game,which we usually both attended,though regretfully never together.Babe represented everything thatwas good about our organizationand our industry. I will miss him. There has been a lot of talkaround the woods about DNRtimber sale policies. First, DNRDivision of Forestry Director MikeCarroll clarified this when he spoketo the TPA Board of Directors.Mike stated that timber sales wouldbe five years in length. Enoughvolume to meet the revenue targetagreed to with the legislature lastsession would be sold for shorterterms. This would amount toapproximately 200,000 cords of the800,000+ cords that the DNR willoffer this fiscal year.The DNR will also sell sales ofshorter length where the standconditions warrant it. This wasclarified by Forest ManagementSection Supervisor Tom Baumannin an e-mail to Division of Forestrypersonnel. Tom’s e-mail stated inpart “While there is a need toaccelerate the return of revenue tofulfill the requirements of thetimber initiative, as prescribed bystate statute the standard length ofour auction sales continues to befive years. We may, however, forvalid and definable silviculturalreasons, reduce the length ofindividual sales to three years.Foresters need to specify thesereasons on the appraisal report.”I think that this should clarify thelength of sale issue both for TPAmembers and for DNR personnel. The TPA executive committeedirected that two task forces beestablished and that all members beinvited to participate in them. Thisaction and an invitation toparticipate was mailed to all of ourmembers.The first task force, chaired bypast President Ray Killmer, wasasked to identify issues for theMinnesota Forest Resouces Councilto consider as it reviews thevoluntary timber harvestingguidelines. This task force hascompleted its work and submittedits list of issues to the council.The second task force, co-chairedby executive committee membersLowell Pittack and Dale Erickson,is focusing on DNR timber saleadministrative issues. Four yearsago the DNR established theTimber Sale Working Group to lookat similar issues. In the end, TPAfelt that without the DNR offeringits full allowable cut for sale, therecommendations really amountedto re-shuffling a deck with too fewcards. Now that the legislature hasfunding the DNR to sell its plannedcut, we are looking at these issuesagain.The task force has met once andhopes to complete its work inanother meeting or two. We willthen sit down with the DNR to goover our issues andrecommendations. If you areinterested in participating in thistask force, give the TPA office a call. I don’t usually put “canned”items in my column. As some ofyou know I’m a boater and thiscomes from a U.S. Power Squadronnewsletter that I get, though I haveseen it other places before:This is a story about fourpeople…Everybody, Somebody,Anybody and Nobody.There was an important job to bedone and Everybody was asked to do it.Everybody was sure Somebody woulddo it. Anybody could have done it,but, Nobody did it. Somebody gotangry about that because it wasEverybody’s job. Everybody thoughtAnybody could do it, but Nobodyrealized that Everybody wouldn’t do it.It ended up that Everybody blamedSomebody when actually Nobody askedAnybody.This story can apply to our jobs,our communities, our homes and,sometimes, to our association. It’sa good little story to think about.It also is right on the mark whenyou think about safety. Everybodyknows safety is important. TheSomebody that needs to worksafely is you. Anybody can lettheir guard down for a second butNobody wants Anybody to gethurt.Have a safety meeting today aswe head into the demanding winterlogging season. Even though our industry isfacing a very difficult economicsituation, we have much to bethankful for every day. Pleaseaccept my best wishes for a happyholiday season and a safe andbetter 2002.Wayne BrandtExecutive Vice PresidentST. LOUIS COUNTY2002 ORAL & SEALEDBID TIMBERAUCTION DATESORAL TIMBER AUCTIONS11:00 a.m.Sale DateFebruary 21April 18August 15October 17LocationCotton Town HallCotton Town HallCotton Town HallCotton Town HallSEALED BIDTIMBER AUCTIONS9:00 a.m.Sale Date LocationJune 20 Land Dept.-DuluthDecember 19 Land Dept.-Duluth6Timber Bulletin November/December 2001

TPA Submits Guideline CommentsEditor’s Note: The following comment letter was submitted by TPA in response to the request for comments by theMinnesota Forest Resources Council. The comments were approved by the TPA board of directors at its December meeting.Minnesota Timber Producers Association903 Medical Arts Building • 324 W. Superior St. • Duluth, Minnesota 55802Phone 218-722-5013 • Fax 218-722-2065December 14, 2001Michael PhillipsCouncil Guideline Development CoordinatorMN DNR/Division of Forestry500 Lafayette RoadSt. Paul, MN 55155-4044Dear Mr. Phillips:Following are the comments of the Minnesota Timber Producers Association on issues to be considered in the review of theMinnesota Forest Resources Council’s Timber Harvesting and Forest Management Guidelines:• Consideration should be given to increase the area for landings and roads as a means of decreasing the amount of skiddingthat needs to be done;• Consideration should be given to decreasing the amount of standing timber left around both open and non-open water wetlandinclusions in timber sales, we believe that this is having a substantial impact on volumes available for economical harvest;• The MFRC should review the overall environmental and economic advisability of harvesting on more acres to produce thesame volume of wood when less wood per acre is removed by following the current guidelines i.e. it may be better to harvestmore wood on fewer acres;• Consideration should be given to modifying the recommendation to utilize water bars even when ground is frozen, this notpractical or advisable and diversion may be better accomplished using other tactics (slash);• The riparian peer review that was done by the MFRC included information that the residual basal area guidelines were too highfor effective regeneration of many tree species, consideration should be given to revising this guideline by reducing theresidual basal area recommendations;• A more comprehensive index should be developed e.g. all references in the guidelines to “snags” or “leave trees” would beidentified;• The MFRC should consider modifying, eliminating or creating separate guidelines for small timber sales or timber sales thatare comprised of multiple small blocks;• The MFRC must complete a thorough economic analysis as required by MS 89A.05, including economic impacts, availability ofacres for management and providing stable, sustainable and predictable supplies of wood;• “Site” is not well defined for using the guidelines or for monitoring the use of the guidelines, “site” should include the entiremanagement unit of the sale area not just the area on which harvesting is being done;• Filter strip width recommendations should continue to be stated in ranges to recognize on the ground guideline application andminimum filter strip width recommendations should not be changed;• Minimizing compaction in filter strips or RMZ’s should be addressed in the guidelines by defining outcomes and not by layeringrestrictions e.g. winter harvest and special equipment;• Consideration should be given to adding trees with permanent deer stands to the list of preferred leave trees;• Changing thresholds for slopes and operations should only be done based on sound research as this will have significantimpacts, especially in southeastern Minnesota;• Consideration should be given to the impacts of seasonal pond guidelines on the cost of logging and losses of volume topublic and private landowners;• The guidelines should be changed to make it clear that “dry washes” are not subject to RMZ recommendations;• Extreme caution should be used in dealing with any proposals to remove riparian areas from active management as this willlikely have the effect of increasing economic pressures to convert important forestlands to non or less forested uses as a resultof development.TPA thanks the MFRC for the chance to provide these comments. We urge the MFRC to proceed with great caution. Currentlyloggers and the entire forest products industry are facing the most difficult economic situation we have seen for many years. TheMFRC should give strong consideration to reducing the cost of guideline implementation and be extremely reluctant to makechanges that increase costs to loggers, landowners or wood consumers.Sincerely,This paper is made from Minnesota trees.Clarence JohnsonPresident8 Timber Bulletin November/December 2001

Tenstrike Leader“Babe” FellowsDies at 83by Cathy Axvig, staff writerPeople knew him as Babe, but thecommunities of Tenstrike andBemidji also knew him as avisionary and an encourager.Roland “Babe” Fellows, 83, diedSunday from complications ofcancer, leaving behind a legacy ofcommunity service.Nicknamed after the legendaryBabe Ruth, Fellows was born inTenstrike where his grandfather,William Fellows, settled in 1885,establishing the first sawmill inBemidji that year. He later built thefirst sawmill in Tenstrike.“Actually that sawmill startedthe lumber business for us in thisarea,” Fellows said in a June 2000Blackduck American interview.“We’ve been in some form oftimber or lumber ever since.”After serving in the Army AirCorps, Fellows also got into thelumber business by starting theLand O’ Lakes Wood PreservingCompany with friend NormanGladen.Later Gladen sold his share toFellows, who ran the companywith his two daughters, Joan Pompand Marilyn Fellows, son-in-lawDave Pomp, and nephews Ron andMike Fellows. Fellows remainedactive in the business until he wasprevented by his illness this pastyear, according to his daughters.Although Fellows had asuccessful business, he also madetime for the community. He servedon the Beltrami County HistoricalSociety Board, serving as presidentone year. He also served severalyears on the North Country HealthServices Foundation.“He was a very creative man andconcerned about communityneeds,” said Pat Kelly, who workedwith Fellows for about 10 years onthe North Country Health ServicesFoundation.Fellows was instrumental instarting the NCHS Foundation inthe early 1990s and was highlyresourceful and giving of himself,Kelly said.That resourcefulness and his loveof history, which he attributed tohis mother, Goldie, led him to bringabout the Fellows Family Museum,located at his boyhood home inTenstrike.Fellows chronicled the history ofTenstrike as well as the lives ofmany of the families who livedthere. He collected information oneverything from Tenstrike’s earlybaseball teams to the town’sheyday during the logging era.The thousands of articles aredisplayed in the house as well as inoutbuildings, one of which is hometo two examples of old-time, horse-(continued on page 12)10 Timber Bulletin November/December 2001

(continuted from page 12)drawn fire department equipment.He was a member of the JointEconomic DevelopmentCorporation, the TenstrikeCommunity Church, where he wason the board of trustees for manyyears. He also served as director ofthe Minnesota Timber ProductsAssociation.He and friends began theBreakfast Club that started as fourguys having breakfast, according toa friend who wrote Fellows a cardOct. 28. “But even more importantis what you taught me about life,community service, business senseand just plain common sense,” thefriend wrote. “I am truly gratefulfor your input, wisdom, the examplesduring our times together.”Another card written by a friend,states that he was a man of visionand initiative and carried them outto their completion.Perhaps more importantly, hisdaughters say he was a visionaryand they appreciated him forencouraging them to do whateverthey set their minds to.“He was a wonderful father, thatgoes without saying,” said MarilynFellows.He is survived by his twodaughters. His wife, Pauline, diedin 1995.Reprinted with permission from ThePioneer, Bemidji, Minn., Nov. 6, 2001.Nortrax SupportsJohn Deere SpecialFund for AmericaNortrax Equipment Co. recentlysubmitted a check in the amount of$37,000 to the John Deere SpecialFund for America, a special fundinstituted by Deere & Companywhich provides Deere employees,dealers and customers theopportunity to send monetary aidsupporting recovery efforts andvictim’s families resulting from thetragedies of Sept. 11. The JohnDeere Foundation launched the“John Deere Special Fund forAmerica” with a $250,000contribution.“These events changed thelives of all Americans, but formany families, changed themforever,” stated NortraxMidwest Region salesmanager Travis Lynn. “Wejust wanted to help in somesmall way and felt that theJohn Deere Special Fund forAmerica was the best avenueto do that,” added Lynn.Nortrax took proceeds fromnew equipment sales inSeptember and October tocontribute to the fund.Customers who purchasednew machines during thistime frame will be recognizedas co-contributors.The John Deere Foundation’sboard of directors willadminister the John DeereSpecial Fund for America anddetermine the best possibleuse of the special fund’s assets.The foundation will report toall contributors concerning theuse of donated funds.Nortrax EquipmentCompany is a leadingdistributor of John Deereconstruction and forestryequipment with regionaloperations in the UpperMidwest, Northeast, andsouthern Florida. The MidwestRegion’s office, based in EauClaire, Wis., coordinates theoperation of seven servicecenters in Bemidji, Duluth,and Grand Rapids, Minn.;Ashland, Eau Claire, andMonico, Wis.; and Escanaba,Mich. The locations offer sales,parts, and service for JohnDeere, Hitachi, Timberjackand Fabtek products.12 Timber Bulletin November/December 2001

Log A Load For Kids ProgramLog A Load For Kids is an annualcampaign which encourages loggersand others in the forest productscommunity to provide financialsupport for their local Children’sMiracle Network (CMN) Hospitals.The program provides excellentopportunity for loggers to demonstratetheir professionalism and commitmentto community services.The Forest Resources AssociationInc., is proud to be the nationalsponsor of the Log A Load For Kidsprogram. FRA is a non-profit tradeassociation concerned with the safe,efficient and sustainable harvest offorest products and their transportfrom woods to mill. FRA representswood consumers, independent loggingcontractors, and wood dealers, as wellas businesses providing products andservices to the forest resource-basedindustries.Wisconsin’s DebbyBlomberg to Lead LogA Load NationalAdvisory Group in 2002Debby Blomberg, the initiator ofWisconsin and Michigan’s Log ALoad for Kids program, assumedthe leadership of the National LogA Load For Kids advisory group atthe Log A Load For Kids nationalconference, Oct. 20-22. This year’snational conference, sponsoredonce again by Timberjack Corp.,provided a forum for Log A Loadprogram leaders from around thecountry to share their campaignsuccesses and to seek ideas forimproving their Log A Loadprograms.Debby Blomberg, co-owner ofBlomberg Logging in Ogema, Wis.,succeeds Betsy Luoto of Cross &Crown, Inc. (Logging) in Carlton,Ore., as Log A Load For Kidsnational chairman. “I’ve alwayshad a heart for helping childrenand want to see the best for them,”said Debby as she began her termas national chairman. Debbyprefaced her remarks by thankingBetsy for her dedication to the LogA Load For Kids program. DuringBetsy’s term, the Log A Load ForKids program grew to its currentlevel of raising nearly $3 millionannually from almost 30participating states.CMN’s Log A Load ForKids ChampionOn Oct. 21, the national Log ALoad For Kids advisory groupIncoming National Log A Load For Kids Advisory Group Chairman DebbyBlomberg, left, thanks outgoing Chairman Betsy Luoto, right, for her two yearsof service to the National Log A Load For Kids program.recognized Page Stroup ofCharlotte, N.C., as the winner of itsfirst annual Log A Load For KidsCMN champion award. Thisaward recognizes theaccomplishments of a Children’sMiracle Network (CMN) director orother CMN employees on behalf ofhis or her state or local Log A LoadFor Kids program.Page Stroup is the Children’sMiracle Network director at theCarolina Medical Center inCharlotte, N.C. Her work anddedication have been key inboosting her area’s Log A Load ForKids to the forefront amongCharlotte’s CMN hospital donors.Page has developed strongrelationships with the local Log ALoad For Kids committee. Sheattends and hosts Log A Loadgroup meetings, conducts personaltours of the Charlotte Children’sHospital, coordinates Log A Loadmedia coverage, and gives theprogram strong recognition duringCMN’s annual TV broadcast. Herwarmth, charisma, and energyshine through every relationshipshe establishes, whether it’s a hugfor a pediatric patient, a forcefulpitch to a business leader, orsupport for a CMN sponsor likeLog A Load For Kids.Page has been instrumental indeveloping an “interstate” Log ALoad For Kids golf tournament andauction, held annually in NorthCarolina, that has raised over$500,000 in two years for manyCMN hospitals around the country.She and her office provide staffingfor this event and assist inprocessing donations and mailingconfirmations. Johnny Hall, ofIndustrial Wood Products, whofounded this huge golf tournament,has written: “I have worked withPage for four years. We haveraised a half-million dollars. Thiswould not have been possiblewithout Page. The devotion, loveand passion that she exudes whileworking diligently for the kids isextremely infectious. Pagecontinues to be my inspiration forcharity work.”During the award ceremony,national Log A Load For KidsAdvisory Group Chairman BetsyLuoto thanked Timberjack for itssponsorship of this First Annual(continued on page 16)14 Timber Bulletin November/December 2001

(continued from page 14)Log A Load For Kids CMNChampion Award, and sherecognized this year’s other CMNChampion award nominees: LorrieDuBois of Eveleth, Minn.; and DebiWhite of Eugene, Ore.Janet Ison: Log ALoad For KidsVolunteer ChampionOn Oct. 21, 2001, the NationalLog A Load For Kids advisorygroup honored Janet Ison ofLaFayette, Ala., as the recipient ofits First Annual Log A Load ForKids Volunteer Champion Award.This award recognizes heroutstanding accomplishments onbehalf of her state Log A Load ForKids program.Janet has served as statechairman for Alabama’s Log ALoad For Kids campaign since2000. Despite her busy schedule asa full-time teaching assistant, wifeof logger Anthony Ison, andmother of two, she has helped toJanet Ison, right, winner of the National Log A Load For Kids advisory group’sfirst annual Log A Load For Kids volunteer champion award, with nationaladvisory group Chairman Betsy Luoto, left.raise thousands of dollars forAlabama’s Log A Load For Kidsprogram, and she has promotedLog A Load For Kids at dozens offundraisers and other events. Inher first year as Alabama’schairman, she organized a sportingclay competition that raised over$75,000. Janet finds innovativeways to increase donations at LogA Load fundraisers, supplying afish tank to fill with donations orauctioning a jar of nuts and bolts.National Log A Load For KidsAdvisory Group Chairman BetsyLuoto presented Janet with a $250award check, compliments ofTimberjack Corp., the Log A LoadFor Kids national conference andaward sponsor. “Janet is the typeof person that every state Log ALoad For Kids program would liketo be blessed with,” stated Betsy.Bill Jones, with the AlabamaLoggers Council, has written:“Janet Ison is a winner for Log ALoad. If you have any doubt aboutthat, just ask to see her scrapbook –but have your wallet ready, becausethere is no telling what you mighthave to contribute to Log A Load.We are very proud of what she hasdone for our children’s hospitals inAlabama.” Janet’s scrapbook is anongoing record of the many Log ALoad events she has participated in.Janet was the winner from a slateof six outstanding Log A Loadvolunteer award nominees,including: Jerry Birchem, of Britt,Minn.; Allen Boatright, ofTallahassee, Fla.; Johnny Hall, ofClimax, N.C.; John Kimbel, ofKingston, Tenn.; and Anna Swaim,of Little Rock, Ark.16 Timber Bulletin November/December 2001

News From Around the WoodsDean SullivanAnnounces DepartureAl Sullivan, dean of theUniversity of Minnesota’s Collegeof Natural Resources, announcedthat he will step down as dean inSeptember 2002. Sullivan will haveserved as dean for 10 years. Anative of Mississippi who came toMinnesota from Penn StateUniversity, Dean Sullivan playedan active role inside the universitystructure. He also chaired theMinn. Forest Resources Council’sResearch Advisory Committee andserved on the GEIS ImplementationRoundtable.Zumeta AppointedMFRC ExecutiveDirectorThe Minn. Forest ResourcesCouncil appointed Dave Zumetaexecutive dsirector at its Novembermeeting at the Cloquet ForestryCenter. Zumeta is a 20-yearemployee of the Minn. DNR withprevious work experience in theprivate sector and with the state ofIndiana. He holds a Ph.D in forestpolicy and economics from theUniversity of Minnesota. Zumetaprovided primary staff support forthe Division of Forestry directorduring the GEIS study, the GEISImplementation Roundtable andthe early stages of the Minn. ForestResources Council. “I am verypleased that someone of Dave’saccomplishment would accept thisposition. He is fair, balanced andknowledgeable. We’re verycomfortable with this choice,” saidTPA Executive Vice PresidentWayne Brandt. Zumeta succeedsMike Kilgore who is now anassistant professor in the U of M’sCollege of Natural Resources.Chelseth DepartsPotlatchArchie Chelseth has retired fromPotlatch after 22 years as thecompany’s Public Affairs directorin Minnesota. During his yearswith Potlatch Chelseth shepherdedpermitting for the company’smassive pulp mill rebuild inCloquet as well as permitting forOSB and sawmill construction andexpansion projects. A Duluthnative, Chelseth was a frequentattendee at TPA Annual Meetingsand was long an advocate forloggers and labor in industrydeliberations. Minnesota ForestIndustries has announced that it isretaining him to providegovernment relations services.German Lumber atDuluth PortNovember saw the first shipmentof German lumber into the Port ofDuluth. Some 5 million board feetof lumber, enough to build 300homes, arrived on its way to LakeStates Lumber in Aitkin. “It’s a sadday when people are forced toimport wood at the same timewe’ve seen sawmills in the regionclosing. Importing 2 x 4s fromEurope seems a little ridiculouswhen we’ve got some of the mostproductive forest in the world righthere,” said TPA Executive VicePresident Wayne Brandt.Flax Paper Draws FlackThe Minot, N.D., paper hasreported that plans are underwayfor a “treeless” paper mill inWalhalla. The $53 million projectintends to use flax straw formaking paper. Dr. Patrick Moore,the keynote speaker at TPA’s 2001Annual Meeting, spoke about usingagricultural products to makepaper and indicated that it mightmake sense environmentally if wehad a spare continent layingaround to grow crops on.Virtual RecreationistsThis week, Michael Milstein at thePortland Oregonian broke a storythat the Forest Service has beenoverestimating annual recreationvisitors by as much as 70-80 percent.Instead of almost a billion forestvisitors, the new figures show thatonly about 209 million peopleactually visit our national forestseach year. The previousadministration used the large forestvisitor numbers as the justificationfor a dramatic shift in themanagement emphasis on thenational forests. It was the sameflawed data and projections thatwere used to justify drastic reductionsin timber management programsand to claim that recreation jobswould replace forest products jobsin our rural communities. Now weknow why those service jobs neverappeared, the recreationists werejust numbers on budget requestsfrom the agency.What seems to have beenhappening is that recreation staffwere inflating numbers, basedmostly on guess work, and werecounting some visitors as many asfour or five times. It turns out thatback in the FY98 InteriorAppropriations, Congress asked theForest Service to reassess the visitoruse numbers. Now the question iswill the agency revise all thoseforest plan decisions thatemphasized recreation over timbermanagement and will they justifyall the funds they have beenappropriating based on only 20percent of the forest visitors? Mybet is that Congress will hold a fewoversight hearings on this issue.from Chris West, AFRC NEWS,November 16, 2001Sierra Club HitsAnother Branch on theStupid TreeThe Timber Bulletin reprinted anarticle in the July/August issuewhich observed that the Sierra Clubhad fallen out of the stupid treeand hit every branch on the waydown. The Sierra Club has now hitanother branch on its organizationalstupid tree with a lawsuit filed in(continued on page 20)18 Timber Bulletin November/December 2001

(continued from page 18)Michigan challenging the YabaEnvironmental Assessment on theOttawa National Forest. The suitchallenges the decision but asks thejudge to suspend all aspen sales onnational forests in Michigan,Wisconsin and Minnesota pendinga region wide study of aspenmanagement. Counsel for theSierra Club in this suit is the sameattorney who has filed most of theunsuccessful appeals and lawsuitson the Superior National Forest inrecent years.Lawsuit Proceeds toSupreme CourtAn appeal of the MinnesotaCenter for EnvironmentalAdvocacy’s (MCEA) lawsuitagainst the Minn. Pollution ControlAgency and Boise Cascade hasbeen accepted by the MinnesotaSupreme Court. MCEA lost inKoochiching County District Courtand then won their appeal in theMinn. Court of Appeals. TheMPCA and Boise Cascade thenappealed to the Supreme Court.TPA, Minnesota ForestryAssociation, Wood Fiber EmployeesJoint Legislative Council andMinnesota Forest Industries wereallowed to file an amicus briefsupporting the MPCA and BoiseCascade. Trout Unlimited, TheIzaak Walton League, TheAudubon Society, Sawbill CanoeOutfitters, Piragos NorthwoodsCo., Clean Water Action, Friends ofthe Boundary Waters Wildernessand Northeastern Minnesotans forWilderness were also allowed tofile an amicus brief in support ofMCEA.The core of the MCEA suit is achallenge to the use of voluntaryforest management guidelines inMinnesota. MCEA prefersregulations and seeks to have themimplemented through air and waterpermits.Potlatch CorporationNames Frank CarrollMinnesota PublicAffairs DirectorPotlatch Corporation (NYSE:PCH) has named Franklin O.Carroll regional director of publicaffairs, headquartered in Cloquet,Minn. Carroll succeeds Archie D.Chelseth, who has elected to takeearly retirement after 22 years withthe company.Carroll has been the company’scommunications manager for thewestern region, headquartered inLewiston, Idaho, since 1997. In hisnew position, Carroll will beresponsible for communityrelations and communications forPotlatch pulp, paper and woodproducts operations in Minnesota,and will serve as governmentalrelations counsel for the companyin northern Minnesota and St. Paul.Prior to joining Potlatch, Carrollserved in a variety of public affairspositions with the U.S. ForestService in the western UnitedStates. A native of Arizona, heholds a bachelor’s degree from theUniversity of New Mexico and amaster’s degree in publicadministration from Boise StateUniversity in Boise, Idaho. He haswritten extensively on the subjectof natural resource managementand is accredited by the PublicRelations Society of America.Chelseth joined the company asdirector of public affairs in Minnesotain 1979 after a distinguishedpolitical career in Minnesota thatincluded work with both thelegislature and the governor’soffice as well as the MinnesotaDepartment of Natural Resources.During his tenure with Potlatch,Chelseth served as a member andpresident of the Minnesota HigherEducation Coordinating Board andas a founding member of theMinnesota State Colleges andUniversities Board of Trustees, inaddition to serving on the CloquetSchool Board.Potlatch Corporation is adiversified wood and paperproducts company with operationsin seven states and 1.5 million acresof forestland in Arkansas, Idahoand Minnesota.20 Timber Bulletin November/December 2001

TPA Board MeetingThe TPA Board of Directors meton Dec. 13 in Grand Rapids. Ahighlight of the meeting was aspirited presentation by DNRDivision of Forestry Director MikeCarroll. Carroll, appointed earlierthis year by DNR Commissioner AlGarber, went through his prioritiesand views of state landmanagement. He also clarified theDNR’s position on the length oftimber sales (see Executive VicePresident’s column for details).After responding to questions fromthe board, Carroll received anenthusiastic round of applause.Other speakers included DaveZumeta, newly appointed executivedirector of the Minn. ForestResources Council; Jan Hacker,executive director of the Minn.Forest Resources Partnership andMLEP’s Mike Turner.The directors reviewed thatstatus of the TPA/LUA workerscompensation program with LUA’sJohn Hill. Hill reported that theworkers compensation rate forlogging would remain the same asit has since 1999 and that thesawmilling and trucking rateswould also remain unchanged in2002. Hill also reported on theimpacts of September 11 oninsurance and reinsurance andresponded to questions.Dick Olson, chair of the TPAGroup Health Trustees and ShirleyHanson, plan administrator,reported on the group health planwhich will terminate at the end of2001. TPA Executive Vice PresidentWayne Brandt and Dan Zobel ofOtis Magie reported on the newTPA-endorsed health program.Zobel answered questions from thegroup and stayed to answeradditional questions.The board of directors alsoapproved budgets for 2002 andreceived an update on litigation.Finally, three resolutions werepassed the text of which follow.ResolutionR.L. “Babe” FellowsWhereas Babe Fellows served formany years on the Board ofDirectors of the MinnesotaTimber Producers Association(TPA); andWhereas Babe Fellows was activeon the TPA Safety Committee andgave unselfishly of his time formany other TPA programs andactivities; andWhereas Babe Fellows was a leaderin his profession and hiscommunity and tirelessly soughtto improve both for thebetterment of all; now thereforebe itResolved that the Board ofDirectors of the MinnesotaTimber Producers Associationhonors, recognizes and expressesits thanks for Babe’s contributionsand life; and be it furtherResolved that the Board ofDirectors also expresses itssincere sympathy to Babe’sfamily at this passing andcelebrates his life.ResolutionChippewa National ForestWhereas the Chippewa NationalForest is responsible formanaging 700,000 acres ofpublicly owned forestland; andWhereas the Chippewa NationalForest has a management plan infull force with a stated AllowableSale Quantity (ASQ) of 79 millionboard feet per year; andWhereas the ASQ in the plan hasnever been amended; andWhereas the Chippewa NationalForest has performed miserablyin achieving their ASQ for manyyears; andWhereas in Fiscal Year 2001 theChippewa National Forest onlysold 25 million board feet oftimber; andWhereas there appears to be nosignificant effort underway bythe Chippewa National Forest toachieve their ASQ in the future;andWhereas the Chippewa NationalForest’s forest managementactivities are continuing todeteriorate by proposing recklesssilvicultural treatments such asshelterwood harvests in old ageaspen stands; andWhereas the huge decreases inforest management and timbersales on the forest are havingsignificant negative effects on thetimber dependent communitiesin and around the ChippewaNational Forest; now therefore beitResolved that the Board ofDirectors of the MinnesotaTimber Producers Associationcondemns the actions andinaction of the ChippewaNational Forest which jeopardizeboth public forest resources andthe economy; and be it furtherResolved that the USFS Region 9Forester take immediate action toresolve the dismal performanceof the Chippewa National Forest.ResolutionDNR Timber SalesWhereas the management of stateowned and DNR administeredforest lands is a primary interestTimber Bulletin November/December 200121

of the Minnesota TimberProducers Association(TPA); andWhereas the timber sales that resultfrom this management are veryimportant to TPA members, theiremployees and the economies ofboth local communities and theentire state; andWhereas TPA has consistentlycommunicated these views to theDNR and the DNR has heard andacted upon them; andWhereas the DNR Division ofForestry has significantlyincreased timber sale volumes;now therefore be itResolved that the Board ofDirectors of the MinnesotaTimber Producers Associationcommends the DNR and the hardworking employees of the Divisionof Forestry for their greatlyincreased accomplishments; andbe it furtherResolved that the Board ofDirectors thanks the employeesof the Division of Forestry for theincreased workloads they havetaken on to sell and administerthese timber sales.TPA Sets New Coursefor Health InsuranceTPA has embarked on a newprogram for providing healthinsurance for members. TPA hasendorsed the Otis-Magie Agency’sproducts for health and relatedinsurance. The offerings willprovide both more options as wellas increased health coverage andlimits.The TPA/Otis-Magie program isled by Dan Zobel. Information hasbeen mailed to all TPA membersand informational meetings wereheld in International Falls andGrand Rapids. TPA membersinterested in the program shouldcontact Dan Zobel at 218-625-2121or 800-241-2425.In addition to health and relatedinsurance products, Otis-Magie canprovide TPA members with valueadded,cost-effective “cafeteria”benefit programs. These programscan provide important tax savingsfor TPA members and theiremployees.“We’re very pleased with thisnew program,” said TPA PresidentClarence Johnson. “The insuranceworld has changed and we’rechanging with it in order to offerproducts and services that benefitour members.”This new program was initiatedafter a decision was made by theTPA Group Health Plan Trustees toterminate its program at the end of2001. After struggling for severalyears and seeking numerousoptions and solutions, the trusteesreached the conclusion that the bestcourse of action was to end theprogram.Many other small self-fundedgroup health programs, like theTPA self-funded program, havebeen terminated in recent years.Rising costs, small group size, everincreasing rates and adverseselection have all harmed thesefunds.The TPA Group Health fundoperated successfully for 18 yearsand provided important healthcoverage. It was an innovativeapproach to solving a significantproblem for members when it wasinitiated.22 Timber Bulletin November/December 2001

LOGGERS OF THE PAST . . .Days of Busy Tote Roadsby J. C. RyanThis story is reprinted from an earlier Timber Bulletin–one of the first of “Buzz”Ryan’s ever-popular contributions to these pages. The Bulletin will continue toreprint selected stories from the memories he recorded for us.–EditorTimber Bulletin November/December 200123

24 Timber Bulletin November/December 2001

Travel InformationAvailable to WirelessCallers at 511Minnesotans can now accessinformation on weather, roadconditions and constructioninformation simply by dialing 511on their wireless telephones.“We’re very proud to be amongthe first states in the country tolaunch this innovative andextremely helpful 511 service,” saidCommissioner Elwyn Tinklenberg.“It is an integral part of our nationaland state commitment to continuallyenhance safety, improve trafficmanagement and enable the publicto make wise travel decisions.”Tinklenberg chairs a national policycommittee guiding the implementationof the service nationally.By spring 2002, Twin CitiesMetro Area traffic information isalso expected to be available on511. Voice activation and access vialandline telephones are also beingpursued. In the future, additionalservices on 511 may include publictransit and tourism information. Atthis time, there is no extra chargefor the 511 service, outside ofnormal airtime or any roamingcharges for wireless phone users.Nearly all of the wireless providersin Minnesota are participating.Road conditions and constructionproject information can be found byselecting a section of road bysegment or by mile-marker. Formore information on the 511service, contact Ginny Crowson,Traveler Information Coordinator,at 651-284-3454.Information is updated asconditions change. Travelerinformation is also available on theMn/DOT website,www.dot.state.mn.us and bycalling toll free, 1-800-542-0220from both wireless and landlinetelephones.Labor Supports BoiseDecember 12, 2001Forest Products Industry NationalLabor Management Committeebacks Boise Cascade in respondingto environmental extremists. Amajor national labor managementcommittee is supporting BoiseCascade's efforts to respond to thelies and misrepresentations of theRainforest Action Network (RAN).The Forest Products IndustryNational Labor ManagementCommittee (LMC) is our industry'snational vehicle for labormanagement cooperation on sharedpublic policy issues. One of theLMC unions, the UnitedBrotherhood of Carpenters andJoiners of America (UBC),responded to the falsehoodscontained in an advertisementplaced by RAN in The New YorkTimes on Sept. 7 and mailed lettersto the heads of the organizationswho endorsed the RAN ad.In the letter, Mike Draper, theUBC's western region vicepresident, told signers that: “TheRAN advertisement is purely asymbolic move devoid of the facts,designed to reshape consumerdemand for forest products andinvoke sympathy among theAmerican public. By signing thisad, you are not protecting theenvironment, but simplyparticipating in a slick publicitycampaign against the working menand women in the forest productscommunity.” You may read thecomplete letter atwww.labormanagementcommittee.org (Internet access required).PACE International Union alsoissued a statement in support ofBC. PACE International UnionPresident Boyd Young applaudsBoise Cascade Corporation for“their role as a responsiblecorporate citizen, providingconsumer products for millions ofcitizens and thousands of jobs forworking Americans, while leadingthe industry as an environmentalsteward of the land.”TIMBER BULLETIN Subscription OrderPlease ENTER my subscription to the Minnesota Timber Bulletin (six issues peryear). Payment is enclosed for: 1 year $ 20 2 years $ 35 3 years $ 50Please type or print clearly.NAME ____________________________________________________________ADDRESS _________________________________________________________CITY _____________________________STATE ____________ZIP____________COMPANY/ORGANIZATION ____________________________________________Please send my GIFT SUBSCRIPTION to the Minnesota Timber Bulletin (six issuesper year) to be sent to the name below. Payment is enclosed for: 1 year $ 15 2 years $ 28 3 years $ 40Please type or print clearly.NAME ____________________________________________________________ADDRESS _________________________________________________________CITY _____________________________STATE ____________ZIP____________Make checks payable to:TPA Services, Inc., 903 Medical Arts Bldg., 324 W. Superior St., Duluth, MN 55802Note: Existing subscriptions will continue at their current rate until they expire.Timber Bulletin November/December 200125

ClassifiedsTo serve our readers better, the TimberBulletin offers free classified ads of upto 85 words to all members andassociate members of the MinnesotaTimber Producers Association. All adsmust be submitted in writing to theAssociation office. The MTPA assumesno responsibility for ad contents andaccepts free ads on a first-come, firstservedbasis within space limitations._____________________________________USED EQUIPMENT FOR SALE_____________________________________FOR SALECABLE SKIDDERS1979 540B JD, overhauledeng., good tires ...................$18,0001973 C4 TF...................................8,5001973 C5 TF....................................PORGRAPPLE SKIDDERS1993 518C Cat, new trans........49,0001987 666 Clark, flotationtires, new Cummins.............33,0001989 170XL Franklin, 6 cyl.Cummins, new tires.............30,0001992 450C TJ, dual function....35,0001995 450C TJ, dual function,new eng. ................................55,0001997 460C TJ, dual function ......POR1990 548D JD.............................34,0001978 540B JD, 23.1x26 tires......21,5001979 540B JD, 28.1x26 tires......19,0001984 540B JD, 640 rearends,28.1x26 tires...........................25,0001986 648D JD, dual function...29,0001993 648E JD, dual function ...56,0001980 C6 TF, with 23.1x26tires and chains......................10,000CRAWLERS1969 350 JD..................................7,5001995 D3CLGP, newundercarriage, very clean ...36,0001990 650G, 6-way blade...........42,0001990 D5H LGP, 6-way blade,encl. cab .................................45,0001988 D4H LGP, 6-way blade...45,0001987 D4H LGP, 6-way blade,encl. cab .................................43,000KNUCKLE BOOM LOADERS1987 210C 6-cyl. JD slasherpackage..................................27,00042' Trailer w/Barko 40center mount .........................11,0001997 Prentice F90T on1989 Lufkin trailer................15,50042' Trailer w/Barko 40center mount .........................11,000Prentice 90 on tandem truck,19' bed ......................................9,5001987 XL 175 Husky ..................19,000Mark your calendarsfor the 2002North Star ExpoAugust 9 & 10Itasca County FairgroundsGrand Rapids, MinnesotaDELIMBERS1981 743 JD................................15,0001993 Risley Black MagicLim-mit 2000.........................95,000Siiro delimber/slasher...............7,000TRUCKS1998 Peterbilt, 470 Detroit,18 sp. ......................................44,0001995 Peterbilt, 400Cummins, 9 sp......................23,0001978 GMC 2-ton w/hydr.hoist, flatbed dump ................4,500FELLER-BUNCHERSAND SHEARS1979 40 Drott, shearhead ..........17,0001986 490 JD w/20" Timbcoshearhead ..............................29,9001993 T445 Timbco, w/22" Quadcosawhead w/side tilt...........135,0001992 643D JD w/18" sawhead,new tires ................................39,0001993 Risley Black Magic,w/Risley sawhead .............110,0001976 544B JD, 20" shear ...........21,0001990 Super T Bell, 24"...............28,0001988 910 Cat, 17" shearhead,rebuilt trans...........................37,0001987 311B Hydro-Ax................20,0001987 411B Hydro-Ax................20,0001986 511B Hydro-Ax, 6 BTCummins..................................PORWHEEL LOADERS544B JD.......................................15,5001979 544B JD .............................18,5001979 544B JD .............................19,5001981 644C...................................28,000MISCELLANEOUS1979 Bobcat 731 Skidsteerloader .......................................6,7001990 Bobcat 642 Skidsteerloader .......................................7,8001997 72" circular slasher..........12,0001990 210C JD 4x4 backhoe ......20,500Terrain King 6300 self-propelledsweeper......................................8,00020" Koehring sawhead tofit 643 JD ....................................9,000Hitachi EX-22 mini excavator..10,5001989 490D JD excavator ............32,000We have other equipment not listed.New and used parts,new and used tires and chains.Something you’re looking for?Give us a call. We may have it orbe able to locate it for you!!!We are distributors forAftermarket Parts, Rud Chainsand Hanfab SlashersNORTHERN TIMBERLINEEQUIPMENT, INC.6000 Co. Rd. 8Littlefork, Minn. 56653Phone 218-278-6203Fax 218-278-6716Richard or Cam Hardwig_____________________________________ADVERTISERS INDEXAmerican Interstate Insurance ..................................15Bridgestone/Firestone ................................................12Fryberger, Buchanan, Smith & Frederick, P.A.........17Great Lakes Trailers.....................................................10Hedstrom Lumber Co.................................................17Itasca Greenhouse........................................................15Jake’s Quality Tire .........................................................5LM Products .................................................................13Lumbermen's Underwriting Alliance.......................13Northern Engine & Supply ........................................17Nortrax ..........................................................................27NRG Processing Solutions LLC.................................19Otis Magie.....................................................................21Pomp’s Tire...................................................................19Ponsse USA ..............................................................9, 16Rice Blacksmith Saw & Machine...............................11Road Machinery & Supplies ........................................7St. Louis County Land Department ...........................6Schaefer Enterprises ....................................................25Schaeffer’s Specialized Lubricants............................19Stuart's, Inc. ....................................................................2Telmark..........................................................................22United Truck Body...........................................................20Wausau Sales Corp......................................................20Ziegler Inc.....................................................................2826 Timber Bulletin November/December 2001