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Designed to blend with the most frequently used high-end decking materials, Headcote otfers the following:

{) Greatly improved appearance

{) lncreased owner satisfaction

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Staintess steel quality and durability

{) Both flat head and trim head styles

Coll or visil us on the weh!

ALAN OAKES publisher ajoakes @aol.com

Gurbing wildfires again a hot

Once again, we've begun our annual "fight the fires" battle. However, the smoke finally may be starting to clear, as the Bush White House's timber bill rolls on. A national logging bill, the Healthy Forests Initiative, appears close to passing, despite the expected environmentalist opposition.

Although the fires have been seen over the years as a western issue, it now appears it has grown into a national issue, and it's time that such a policy was successful. In 2002 more than 5.26 million acres were impacted, and already in early August, almost 2 million acres have been

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impacted with possibly the worst to come, as forests continue to dry out.

The new bill gives wide license to thin millions of acres of public timber, while preserving wilderness areas and capping thinning on the affected lands to 20 million acres. Some environmental standards will be relaxed, opposition reviews will be sped up, and the views of agencies, such as the Forest Service, will carry additional weight.

I am pleased to see our president out on the stump, selling the measure, and there is a general consensus that the bill has a good chance of passing, especially since it will be debated against an extended fire season and blazing headlines. It appears that Northwest industry factions are working with their Southern counterparts to produce a stronger industry face against its predicted opposition than has been possible in the past. While the two regions have often been rivals, this industry coalition is great to see.

Naturally, opponents cry foul-that the proposal is a ruse to get to other lands, and an attempt to cover up failures by the government last year in providing adequate funds. I hope government opposition will not filibuster the proposals, and forestall this long overdue initiative. Indeed, at this time, a number of Democrats appear to be lining up behind the bill in bipartisan support. I hope that common sense will prevail, but as we all know common sense in govemment does not always win the day.

Environmentalists are claiming the expedited process is unnecessary, since no more than 67o of cases have gone to court and most appeals are settled within the prescribed 90 days. Now while the public has a right to participate in such decisions, far too many are appealed, eating up not only time, but also a large percentage of the thinning projects' budgets.

Passing of this bill will mean that 2004 will see a large reduction in both wildfires and people losing their homes and livelihoods, and will allow our industry to show they are responsible stewards of our environment. May common sense prevail.

Equally promising, the bill coincides with a recent settlement by the Bush Administration to meet the 1994 goals of the Northwest Forest Plan. Hopefully this is good news, since the plan put in place nine years ago has never met its timber soals. Even less fuel for the fire.

IT'S A TYPICAL WARM SUMMER DAY.

SO WHAT'S THE TEMPERATURE INSIDE A SOLAR BOARD HOUSE?

It's a lot cooler.

A house protected by Solar Boardo" radiant barrier sheathing has a head start on comfort. Up to 97% of radiant heat from the sun is reflected by Solar Board, so the attic will be as much as 30' cooler. This means the rest of the house will certainly be cooler too. And in the winter these highly reflective Solar Board panels help to keep the heat inside.

Lower energy costs.

A house kept comfortable by Solar Board is easy on energy bills. Typical costs for cooling are lower - up to 25%lower. Today a house that conserves energy is a whole lot more attractive to home buyers. So the small additional cost of Solar Board for roofs and walls is a real good rnvestment.

A cool 2Oyear warranty.

Solar Board is made right here in the USA and is backed by a 20 year warranty. That's a real plus for new home buyers too.

THE industrial market. which only I accounts for roughly 27o of North American oriented strand board production, has never been targeted as a potentially larger market for OSB. Until now, that is.

Made up of wood strands aligned lengthwise and crosswise in different layers for structural strength and rigidity, OSB has captured about 757o of the North American home construction market for floor, wall and ceiling panels. Most OSB production, about three-fourths of the total 23 billion sq. ft.. 3/8" basis. continues to be driven by new housing starts.

OSB makers will continue to supply the residential market with large quantities of sheathing. Specialty products, such as heavy-duty flooring panels, radiant panels, structural insulated panels, rimboards and I-joist webs, will also play a larger role to maintain and increase residential market share. But there is a limit to how much more OSB can be supplied for new home construction, which is why producers are looking to new markets.