Washington: Timber industry gets a kinder more gentler regulatory leadership

Washington Commissioner of Public Lands Peter Goldmark is more
concerned about the health of the timber industry than he was the day
he was elected. Goldmark, who took office Jan. 14, said he is
particularly concerned about small-forest landowners. “As the depth of
the current recession we’re in becomes clearer and clearer and the
price of lumber continues to fall, it’s putting the timber owners in
this state at an incredible economic disadvantage and
hardship,” Goldmark said.

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He wants to work with landowners to find or develop an economic model
to identify the most critical issues and important management
variables. “I know the market is a very powerful part of it,” he said.
“Whatever we can do – within reason of course – to help the industry
weather this, I want to do that.” Erosion in the market and timber
value are putting pressure on the industry, he said. Goldmark said he
plans to maintain timber harvest levels. “We’ll get less per
board-foot, but we need to keep our timber mills active,” he said.

“We need to keep all of the infrastructure healthy during this downturn so
our capacity is maintained to cut, haul, process and deliver quality
lumber across the state and the industry can maintain its health now
and in the future.” Goldmark said he intends to have three values or
policy guideposts in place as he makes decisions in his new position:
sustainability, serving the public at all times and using sound
science as a basis for all decision-making.

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