California Floats Lumber Tax

California legislators are considering a bill that would impose a l7o tax on all lumber sold in California, generating about $30 million annually for a new Timber Regulation and Forest Restoration Fund.

Some timber firms support Assembly Bill 1492 because it would shift the costs of regulatory fees they currently pay to consumers and would limit wildfire liability damages in cases occurring after passage of the bill.

However, the Lumber Association of California & Nevada is against the proposed legislation. arguing:

(1) There is no valid data on the amount of tax to be collected. The state cannot determine the amount of tax to be collected because it has no figures on the amount of lumber sold in the state.

(2) There is no valid data on the actual costs of the various state agencies involved in monitoring and reviewing timber harvest plans. The claimed costs of the various state agencies involved are unsubstantiated and must be independently verified.

(3) The costs to implement an additional sales tax on selected items has not been considered or analyzed. Nor have the technical challenges of reconfiguring computer systems to access the tax been considered.

Northern California Dealer Works to Sell Lumber Online

Ukiah, Ca.-based reclaimed woods specialist North Cal Wood Products has launched a new online lumber store, www.youclickitweshipit.com, as well as a national marketing campaign to educate consumers on the advantages of shopping online for lumber products.

"It's an online world and we have to be able to serve customers on their terms," said Tony Fernandez, director of sales and operations. "In many cases, that means being able to provide full service online."

The new website allows homeowners, contractors, and other clients to browse the company's wood products online, select their preferences, place their orders, and have their selections shipped directly to them-all without having to pick up the phone or send a fax.

"The idea is for the independent contractor that's out in Wisconsin on the jobsite, trying to find studs, framing, siding, or flooring, to get online on his laptop or smartphone, check out our inventory, read a product review, and place an order," said Fernandez. "With just a few clicks he can get it shipped directly to the jobsite."

Fernandez foresees a time when most of the company's customers will shop and order online. "The online store isn't a big business right now, but it's growing and customers are responding very favorably to it," he said. "We expect business to grow further this year as we roll out our You Click, We Ship It campaign."

FSC Expands Operations

The Forest Stewardship Council will host its first annual southeast regional conference on Oct. 24 at Home Depot's corporate headquarters in Atlanta, Ga.

Attendees will include resional stakeholders who will address opportunities and challenges in building the marketplace for FSC-certified products in the Southeast.

At its headquarters in Minneapolis, Mn., FSC-US welcomed Karin Meier as development manager and Amelia Harris as a program manager.

Effective Oct. l, Kim Carstensen will be director general of the organization's international board of directors, succeeding Andre de Freitas, who has led FSC International for the past five years. Carstensen previously served 20 years with the World Wildlife Fund.

ldaho Forest Group to Expand Chilco Operations

Idaho Forest Group, Coeur d'Alene, Id., received permission from Kootenai County commissioners to expand its milling operations in Athol, Id., which process logs from North Idaho and Washington.

IFG will expand the 25 L6-acre site by another 46.5 acres to gain space for additional lumber storage. The company also plans to construct a 130-ft. portal crane and create separate spaces for truck scales, truck tarping, and turnaround space that will relieve traffic congestion in the yard.

To mitigate noise concerns, a vegetative buffer will be installed on top of an existing berm. "It's weighing building economic prosperity versus the needs of local residents," said commissioner Dan Green of the proposed plans.

Alaska Mill Adds Showroom

Icy Straits Lumber & Milling Co., Hoonah, Ak., opened a new showroom in Juneau, Ak., this summer, to showcase the company's custom products made from wood harvested from the Tongass National Forest.

"A foothold in Juneau should open up new markets to us," said owner Wes Tyler, who purchased the company with his wife, Susan, in 2003. "People will get to see the products and get to know what we can offer."

Currently, the showroom is open by appointment only, but Tyler hopes to eventually to have it staffed during regular business hours. The showroom is stocked with samples of beams, crown moulding, decking, siding, paneling, chairs, tables and mantles made from Sitka spruce, Alaska yellow cedar, western red cedar, and western hemlock. Complete home and cabin packages are available.

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