Increases To Record

A predicted rise in the interest rates in the latter part of 2003 should slow new home construction modestly to 1.65 million units for the year.

Western lumber production is expected to ease l.9Vo to l7 billion bd. ft. as consumption declines. Canadian imports are projected to fall 18.8 bilIion bd. ft. Imports from Europe, New Zealand and Latin America should drop 5.9Vo to 1.8 billion bd. ft.

USFS Reduces Owl Study

U.S. Forest Service will scale back a plan to monitor the effects of different levels of logging on spotted owls in California, citing a lack of public support.

Announced in December (see Jan., p. 27), the plan would assess the impact of varying degrees of logging on 180,000 acres of owl habitat in Northern California's Plumas and Lassen national forests.

The study called for the cutting of 600 million bd. fr. of rimber and rhe building of 160 miles of roads.

The downsized plans call for monitoring regular forestry work instead of setting up scientifically monitored log- grng scenarlos.

"We still expect good scientific information," said the USFS's Matt Mathes. "But not as good as the original plan."

The plan met with criticism from environmentalists who said it required too much logging over too much time on too small a land base.

Pick Paint The Depot Way

Home Depot stores are introducing an interactive paint center that seeks to simplify paint selection for customers.

The Color Solutions Center features new color technology, brochures and project idea cards in a 30-ft. display. The results of several years of consumer research, Home Depot will use the center to showcase paint brands by Ralph Lauren, Glidden and its exclusive Disney Color by Behr.

The center incorporates technology that lets consumers choose a color and then preview its application in virtual computer "rooms." There are also peel and stick paint chips that can be applied to any wall surface.

"Our research clearly pointed to customers' desire for a more userfriendly color presentation system," said Depot's Sophia Schade.

Jim Landis is the new general mgr. of Washington Hardwoods, Seattle, Wa., a division of Rosboro Lumber.

Larry Buelna and Steve Buelna are new to Mill Direct Sales' Wilsonville, Or., location.

Jon Howell was promoted to sales mgr. at Snow Peak Forest Products, Couer d' Alene, Id.

Greg Franklin has opened a branch sales office in Bend, Or., for North American Wood Products.

Carl Christoferson has been named mgr. for the West Coast market at Windsor Mill, Windsor, Ca.

Whit Whitney recently retired from Potlatch Corp., Spokane, Wa., after 38 years with the company.

Richard J. Taggart has been promoted to executive v.p. and chief financial officer at Weyerhaeuser Co., Federal Way, Wa. He succeeds William C. Stivers, who will retire in June.

Jeff Howard has been promoted to sales mgr. at Capital Lumber Co., Healdsburg, Ca. He assumes the post July l. Geoff Watts, exCrown Pacific. is a new account mgr. at Capital Lumber, Albuquerque, N.M., handling I-joists and engineered wood products.

Scott Litwin has joined 84 Lumber Co. as a mgr. trainee in Grand Junction. Co.

JeffKingis store mgr. and Bill Hamor operations mgr. at the new Home Depot in San Luis Obispo, Ca., store. Bob Whitman is retiring as president of Home DePot's Expo Design Centers. Annette Verschuren, president, Home Depot Canada, is serving as interim president of the division.

Len Viale, 70, is retiring from Redwood Empire, Morgan Hill, Ca., after 20 years with the company. Viale also worked for Simpson Timber, Arcata, Ca., for 20 years.