SAF ACTIONS

Henry Clepper Forest Policy Internship Available
An internship is available in natural resource policy for graduate or upper-level undergraduate students currently enrolled in accredited forestry programs, or graduate students in public policy with a background in forestry. Strong written and oral communication skills are needed. Membership in SAF will be considered.

The intern will serve as assistant to the SAF Forest Policy Team and will prepare background reports, monitor environmental and natural resource legislation, and provide liaison to other environmental and natural resource organizations.

TERM: 4-6 Months (Duration Flexible) STIPEND: $1,400.00 per month

Send resume, transcripts, writing sample, list of references, and term desired to:

John R. Barnwell
Assistant Director, Forest Policy
Society of American Foresters
O: 301-897-8720 ext. 300
M: 301-526-7075
barnwellj@safnet.org Kelsey Delaney
Assistant Director, Forest Policy
Society of American Foresters
W: 301.897.8720 x 202
M: 301.526.8354
F: 301.897.3690
delaneyk@safnet.org

In the Administration

Ground Broken on New U.S. Forest Service Lab

Juneau Empire, Published by Jonathan Grass, August 25th
A groundbreaking ceremony marked Thursday's official beginning for the new U.S. Forest Service laboratory on the University of Alaska Southeast campus. The project has been a dream of the Forest Service and the city since the early 1980s. After a few attempts to get it off the ground over the years, construction can begin shortly. The 11,000-square-foot building is projected to cost $8.3 million. The first floor will be designed into four lab areas while the upstairs will be offices and conference areas. To read more of the article link to:
http://juneauempire.com/local/2011-08-25/ground-broken-new-us-forest-service-lab#.Tl6_imBeqLk

This Week in Congress

The U.S. Senate and House of Representatives are on recess until September 6th.

National News

Timber Industry Pushes Feds for More Timber

Duluth News Tribune, John Myers, September 1st
A group of timber industry leaders from across the country announced Thursday that they have formed a new lobbying group and opened a Washington office to press the federal government for increased timber sales on national forests. Howard Hedstrom, president of Hedstrom Lumber near Grand Marais, will serve as president of the new Federal Forest Resource Coalition. "For too long we've watched the Forest Service and other federal lands adopt a passive approach to management which threatens our mills and the health of their forests," Hedstrom, said in a statement. To read more of this article link to:
http://www.duluthnewstribune.com/event/article/id/208223/

In the States: Washington, Massachusetts and Michigan

Western Spruce Budworm Damage Intensifies in Parts of Washington

Washington DNR Press Release, August 30th
The Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the USDA Forest Service are currently monitoring the Western Spruce Budworm to see how many acres of Washington's forests have been defoliated by this insect. "As a pilot I see first-hand the huge area of damaged trees when I fly over the Cascade Mountains. Surveying our forests for defoliating insects helps us provide information to landowners, determine what management is needed to improve forest health, and reduce the threat of costly wildfires," said Commissioner of Public Lands Peter Goldmark. To read more of this article link to: http://www.dnr.wa.gov/RecreationEducation/News/Pages/2011_08_30_budworm_nr.aspx

Trees Showing Resilience to Beetles

NewsTelegram.com, Published by Bronislaus Kush, August 31st
Trees infested with the Asian longhorned beetle have shown remarkable resilience in physically coping with the insect's devastating, decade-long onslaught, a recently released study by researchers from Harvard University and the U.S. Forest Service shows. Surveys conducted in two areas around Ararat Street on Indian Hill in December of 2008 and in September of 2009 revealed that the 200 or so inspected trees, though heavily infested, had continued to grow. The researchers also observed that - though the invasive insects were in the region for at least 10 years - the ALB did not "aggressively" kill trees. To read more of this article link to:
http://www.telegram.com/article/20110831/NEWS/108319913/0/NEWS03

Stabenow Pushes for Renewable Resource Growth

UpperMichigansSource.com, Published by Nikki Davidson, September 1
There are about 10,000 different products made from Michigan timber. Chairwoman of the U.S. Senate committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and U.S. Forestry, Debbie Stabenow says it's time to hone in on the products that could defeat the current battle at the pump. "The U.P. is really providing tremendous leadership already in creating alternative fuels through wood byproducts, and woody biomass," says Stabenow. "We are held hostage at the pump, we're forced to pay whatever. Let's get off foreign oil, let's have it be Michigan grown and create jobs right here." To read more of this article link to:
http://www.uppermichiganssource.com/news/story.aspx?id=658171#.Tl_mjGBeqLk

Last Week in Congress

The U.S. Senate and House of Representatives are on recess until September 6th.

Wildfire Update

Firefighters Gain Ground on Wash. Wildfires

The Seattle Times, August 30th
Air tankers dropping retardant helped firefighters protect two homes from a wildfire that jumped the fire lines. About 20 homes are threatened by the fire 5 miles west of Omak. Fire spokesman Steve Harris says residents in two homes were advised to evacuate Tuesday afternoon, but that order was removed later in the day with better control of the blaze. About 150 firefighters are assigned to the fire, and state firefighting teams are en route to the blaze. To read more of this article link to: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2016059571_apwawildfireswash2ndldwritethru.html

Nearly 2,000 Firefighters Working to Hold Line On Two Oregon Wildfires

FM News 101KXL.com, Published by Jeremy Scott, September 1st
There are about a dozen wildfires across Oregon. The largest is on the Warm Springs Reservation. The High Cascades Complex has scorched nearly 80,000 acres. Containment is only 15% and it could take a week to get fully under control. Close to 200 homes are still threatened. A crew of 1,500 is working to put it out. Another fire is burning in the Mount Hood Wilderness. The Dollar Lake Fire has taken at least 1,600 acres in its path. Officials still can't get a sense how much they have contained. To read more of this article link to: http://www.kxl.com/kxl-news/Now-Two-Fires-On-Mount-Hood--Dozen-More-Statewide/10753387