Forestry Policy Conference
On Monday June 24, 2013, U.S. Representatives Reid Ribble (WI-8), Sean Duffy (WI-7), and Dan Benishek (MI-1) will host the second Bi-annual Forestry Policy Conference at the Potawatomi Carter Casino Hotel, 618 Hwy. 32 in Carter from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
The conference is an effort to bring together forestry leaders from throughout the three congressional districts as well as others interested in forestry issues. The conference will focus on current policies impacting forestry and those attending will discuss opportunities that will allow better utilization of forest resources across the three congressional districts represented.
The day will be broken into three panel discussions: Tribal Perspectives on Land and Timber Management, Timber Transportation Issues, and Innovative and Alternative Solutions in National Forest Management, with the congressional representatives serving as moderators for each.
In addition to the three panels, there will be a roundtable discussion and Q & A session with representatives from the U.S. Forest Service and a conversation about the economic importance of timber featuring Reed Hall, CEO of the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) and Bill O’Neill, Michigan state forester and chief of the Forest Resource Division of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Henry Schienebeck, executive director of the Great Lakes Timber Professionals Association will serve as moderator.
Additional speakers will include Al Murray, Forest County Potawatomi Forester; Tom Tisa, director, Network Strategies, CN; DJ Aderman, president, Futurewood Corporation (affiliated with Johnson Timber); Jake Hayrynen, forest products manager, JM Longyear, LLC; Michigan State Senator Tom Casperson; Wisconsin State Senator Tom Tiffany; Charlie Becker, senior resource manager, Plum Creek Timber Company Inc.; Kathleen Atkinson, regional forester, US Forest Service, Milwaukee; Anthony Scardina, forest supervisor, Ottawa National Forest; and Paul Strong, forest supervisor, Chequamegon- Nicolet National Forest.
Those interested in attending the conference may contact Rep. Duffy’s Wausau office at (715) 298-9344 or log on to Duffy.house.gov for more information.
There are four national forests in Wisconsin and Michigan and the issues and concerns involving forest management are virtually the same in each. Those involved in the timber industry in both states also share concerns regarding a wide range of other issues including timber management, transportation and the economic impact of the timber industry.
Media availability with the members will occur when the conference concludes at 4:30 p.m.
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