Four Forests Restoration Initiative

FOUR FORESTS RESORATION

INITIATIVE By Julie Pastrick

Recently at the Chamber I had a meeting with the Four Forests Restoration Initiative (4FRI) principles to get caught up on the status of their operations. Many aspects of their operations have grown, changed and are driving thinning at a new level. With the acquisition of more than 20 trucks running loads daily, we are sure to see significant progress in the short term. Best of all the City of Williams stands to gain numerous new jobs by the addition of a lumber manufacturing center by FEC Logging, USA Holdings.

Good Earth Power AZ owns the 4FRI Phase 1 contract with the US Forest Service, whereby Good Earth Power AZ and its affiliates are restoring the forests of Arizona in an effort to mitigate the risks of wildfire. The parent company of Good Earth Power AZ, FEC Logging USA Holdings (“FEC”), recently acquired the assets of A1 Timber, a Washington-based company with extensive experience in forestry operations. The acquisition allows Good Earth Power AZ and its sister company NewLife Forest Products to ramp up in-house harvesting and hauling capacity. We’re seeing that now.

FEC Board Members Richard de Silva, Jason Rosamond, and Tom Loushin stated that the acquisition is one component of a multi-layered business plan to solve the complex challenges of economically thinning the forests of Arizona, which requires the removal of vast quantities of small diameter, low-grade timber and generally unmerchantable biomass. The business plan is predicated on expanding the company’s verticallyintegrated supply chain, anchored by the development of the new lumber manufacturing centers for the processing of lowgrade, small logs.

FEC is now constructing its first automated, high-throughput lumber manufacturing center in Williams, AZ and is delighted by the support it has received from city leadership and its residents. The new facility will drive significant economic development in the area and is expected to employ hundreds of people throughout the supply chain. The facility construction demonstrates FEC’s on-going commitment to the 4FRI project and its plans to help the US Forest Service and local stakeholders restore the forests of Arizona over the next 20+ years. Welcome to the Greater Flagstaff Chamber family of businesses! Your work impacts the lives of all in the northern tier of Arizona.