Timber Talk 12/2/2025

Jenna Reese
Dec 1
11 min read

OFA Update

Giving Tuesday Update: A little more time!

We’re thrilled about our new online giving platform for the Ohio Forestry Association Foundation—it’s going to make supporting our mission easier than ever! But…we need just a little more time to get everything perfect before we start accepting donations.

Why the delay? We want to make sure your contributions are processed smoothly and that you receive proper end-of-year giving receipts. Plus, we’re working on ways to better recognize your generosity! Stay tuned to Timber Talk, email, and Facebook for updates. We’ll let you know as soon as the campaign goes live—by the end of the month!

Thanks for your patience and support. Big things are coming!

CSAW Level 1 Class - The Wilderness Center

Level 1 is a full 8-hour class with a lecture portion in the morning and a hands-on portion in the afternoon.

Lecture topics: Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), safety features of the chainsaw head, five-point safety check, maintenance of the power head and guide bar, components of the saw tooth, angles and their functions, proper filing, and the reactive forces of the chain and guide bar.

Field topics: benefits of open-face felling, benefits of using a hinge and bore method, five step pre-felling plan, tree felling demonstration, participant tree felling. Register now and don't forget to bring PPE!

End-of-Year Membership Renewals

As a reminder, the OFA board approved an end-of-the-year membership renewal process in 2023 to replace the anniversary renewal system we had been using. This is the third year for this change, and we have already seen an improvement in operations. You can expect to receive a renewal packet in early December by mail including a letter highlighting any major changes for OFA in the last year, an inventory of the benefits you received in 2025, corporate sponsorship opportunities, an agenda and lodging details for the 2026 annual meeting, information about the Real American Hardwood Coalition and how to get involved, and your membership invoice. Please return invoices with payment by January 1, 2026, to ensure your membership remains uninterrupted. Please feel free to renew your membership online at any time by logging in to your account. Please email kalah@ohioforest.org if you need assistance logging in or making a payment.

Market Update

HardwoodReview Forecasting

This is the 250th edition of Hardwood Review Forecasting, formerly the Hardwood Leader. We began in Jan 2005, on the eve of the Great Recession, and continue this month during what is now the third major industry contraction since. The current market downturn has now extended beyond three years, and has been as or more difficult than the prior two. Contacts say lumber sales are slowing earlier than they would expect for this time of year, and though prices for most items are anticipated to remain stable, most of those that are forecasted to change through mid-Dec in Appalachia and the South are expected to decline, with already historically low production getting ahead of even lower seasonal demand. The big wildcard moving forward is China. Though the tariff threats dropped China’s share of total U.S. exports to just 27% from Apr-Jul, that’s still 24 MMBF of monthly demand that’s at risk if the announced 100% tariff on Chinese imports goes into effect Nov 1. Any re-shoring of upholstered furniture and cabinet manufacturing that results from the new 30%-50% Section 232 tariffs will take significant time to materialize, and it will not generate an equal increase in hardwood component demand, given the shift away from hardwood frame stock and the availability of substitute materials for cabinets.

Legislative Update

The following is brought to us by our national partner, the Forest Resources Association (FRA)

On November 20, the Trump administration published a proposed ruleredefining “Waters of the United States” (WOTUS) under the Clean Water Act. The proposal responds to the Supreme Court’s Sackett v. EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) decision by narrowing federal jurisdiction and emphasizing clarity through new definitions of “relatively permanent,” “tributary,” and “continuous surface connection.” Key changes include removing interstate waters as a standalone category, eliminating “intrastate” from lakes and ponds, and revising exclusions for ditches. “When it comes to the definition of ‘waters of the United States,’ EPA has an important responsibility to protect water resources while setting clear and practical rules of the road that accelerate economic growth and opportunity,” said EPA Administrator Zeldin. (EPA Media Release)

The rule would limit federal oversight to waters with clear, continuous connections to navigable waters, shifting greater responsibility to states and tribes. Supporters argue this reduces regulatory burdens and provides certainty for landowners, while critics caution it could weaken protections for wetlands and streams, with implications for water quality and ecosystems.

Section 404(f) of the Clean Water Act continues to exempt “normal silviculture activities”—such as site preparation, reforestation, thinning, harvesting, and forest road construction and maintenance—provided best management practices are applied. With fewer waters classified as jurisdictional, the scope of activities requiring Section 404 review will likely be narrower.

FRA will develop and submit comments to ensure forestry perspectives are fully represented and to promote regulatory certainty for members. The public comment period closes January 5, 2026. The agencies plan to hold two in-person meetings with a virtual option, and FRA will notify members once scheduling details are available. Key takeaways of the Proposed Rule:

Greater Clarity: New definitions for “tributary,” “relatively permanent,” and “continuous surface connection” provide more predictable permitting outcomes.
Reduced Burdens: Narrower federal jurisdiction means fewer forestry activities will require federal review, streamlining operations.
State Empowerment: Expanded role for states and tribes, allowing for more locally tailored water management approaches.
Forestry Flexibility: Section 404(f) exemption for normal silviculture activities remains intact, with fewer waters subject to oversight.

EUDR Developments

The European Union’s Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) requires imports of wood, cattle, cocoa, coffee, palm oil, rubber, and soy to be certified as “deforestation‑free.” Originally set to apply to large and medium operators beginning December 30, 2025, the EU Council has now endorsed a one‑year delay to December 2026. Micro and small operators would have until June 2027. The Council also proposed simplifications: limiting due diligence responsibility to the first operator placing products on the EU market and allowing micro and small businesses to file a one‑time simplified declaration. These adjustments aim to reduce administrative burden while maintaining the regulation’s core objective of preventing global deforestation linked to commodity supply chains.

Implications:

For U.S. exporters, the delay provides additional preparation time but does not exempt them from compliance obligations. Companies will still need to ensure traceability to the plot of origin and demonstrate adherence to local environmental and human rights laws.

What’s Next:

The EU Parliament must negotiate with the Council to finalize the delay and simplification measures, creating short‑term uncertainty for supply chains. With enforcement now likely beginning in late 2026, stakeholders should continue preparing supply chain mapping and compliance systems to safeguard EU market access. We anticipate that the Parliament will vote as soon as next Wednesday on the EU Council's recommendation. FRA will continue to monitor the decision regarding the revised timeline.

Westerman’s Bipartisan SPEED Act Advances to House Floor

The House Natural Resources Committee approved Chair Bruce Westerman’s Standardizing, Permitting and Enhancing Economic Development (SPEED) Act (25–18), with bipartisan support from two Democrats. The bill would streamline the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) permitting reviews by narrowing the scope to direct impacts, imposing strict timelines, and limiting legal challenges. A bipartisan amendment restricts executive authority to revoke project permits, though Democrats argued it falls short in protecting renewable energy. The measure now heads to the House floor as part of broader permitting reform talks. FRA endorsed the bill, citing its importance for permitting clarity and investment certainty.

H-2B Visas

Senate and House members sent letters to Labor Secretary Chavez-DeRemer and Homeland Security Secretary Noem urging them to immediately release supplemental H-2B visas. The House letter was led by Representatives Andy Harris and Chellie Pingree, while the Senate letter was led by Senators Angus King and Michael Rounds.

“Because of these ongoing labor shortages, we strongly urge DHS, in consultation with DOL, to utilize the authority provided by Congress in the current Continuing Resolution to promptly publish a temporary rule implementing the release of all 64,716 supplemental H-2B for Fiscal Year 2026. These visas will help employers address their labor challenges, supplement their US workforce to keep business going, and provide additional certainty regarding their workforce planning decisions in the coming months.”

Over the past several weeks, FRA reached out to and met with members to inform them of the importance of the H-2B temporary visas for forestry operations. We will continue to monitor this issue and keep our members informed on developments.

The H‑2B Workforce Coalition, representing seasonal industries such as lodging, landscaping, seafood, tourism, forestry, golf, and outdoor amusement, urged the Secretaries of Homeland Security and Labor to promptly release 64,716 supplemental H‑2B visas for fiscal year 2026. The coalition emphasized that these visas are critical for workforce planning and meeting peak seasonal labor demands. The letter highlights the ongoing seasonal labor shortage in the U.S. and cites studies showing that H‑2B workers boost local employment and wage growth without harming U.S. workers. A GAO report found that counties with H‑2B employers had lower unemployment and higher wages than counties without them. Coalition members stressed that despite efforts to recruit domestically, there are not enough U.S. workers to meet demand. FRA serves on the steering committee of the H-2B Workforce Coalition.

Resources

FRA H-2B Issue Brief

H-2B Economic Study

FRA H-2B Video

Workforce Development

On Wednesday, the House Education and Workforce Committee’s Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary and Secondary Education held a hearing titled “From Classroom to Career: Strengthening Skills Pathways Through CTE. There has been little movement on the Career and Technical Education (CTE) workforce development front this Congress, making this hearing a welcome development. Several themes emerged throughout the hearing. A few Members of Congress focused their questions on local needs and industry alignment. In an exchange with Chair Tim Walberg (R-MI-05), one witness replied “When we look at developing out these programs, we’re looking at, locally, what the needs are for those industry partners, what equipment, what skills, and what future technologies are being integrated into that environment, into that local, so that we can best support those local entities.” The bedrock federal statute that provides authority and funding for workforce development programs in the U.S—the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA)—has not been reauthorized since 2014. A comprehensive reauthorization measure almost became law at the end of 2024 but was pulled from consideration at the last gasp of the 118th Congress. That measure, A Stronger Workforce for America Act, remains the focal point of discussions, including provisions to:

Dedicate 50 percent of funding to skills training and supportive services
Establish "critical industry skills funds" for upskilling workers in priority industries
Enhance employer partnerships and streamline program accountability

Congress has also expressed strong interest in improving workforce data-collection systems, which would allow states to better align training programs with labor-market needs. This week’s hearing is a hopeful sign that interest is building in reauthorizing WIOA this Congress.

Endangered Species Act

The Department of the Interior’s U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, in coordination with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) National Marine Fisheries Service, has proposed four rules to restore Endangered Species Act regulations to their 2019–2020 framework. The revisions roll back 2024 changes that expanded federal reach, to improve regulatory predictability, and align implementation with statutory text and recent Supreme Court precedent. Key provisions address listing and critical habitat determinations, interagency consultation, species‑specific protections for threatened species, and criteria for critical habitat exclusions. The Administration emphasizes that these changes will deliver clarity and certainty for states, tribes, landowners, and businesses while maintaining science‑based conservation. The proposed rules were published in the Federal Register today.

2026 House and Senate Calendars Released

This week, House and Senate leadership released their 2026 calendars. The combined calendar can be found here.

State Focus – Washington

On November 12, the Washington Forest Practices Board voted 7–5 to adopt a new rule expanding streamside buffers on non‑perennial, ephemeral streams from 50 feet to 75 feet across private and state lands in western Washington. The rule, set to take effect in August 2026, applies to waterways that flow only intermittently—such as after rainfall or snowmelt—and remain dry much of the year. These streams do not support fish populations.

Opponents warn the change will remove more than 200,000 acres of private working forests from active management, resulting in an estimated $5–8 billion in lost revenue. They argue the rule will undermine rural economies by reducing timber supply, jobs, tax bases, and local business activity, while offering no measurable benefits to salmon recovery or water quality. Following the vote, critics urged the Board to reconsider and pursue alternative approaches that better balance environmental objectives with economic sustainability.

Thanksgiving Holiday

As a reminder, FRA will be observing the Thanksgiving holiday next week, and there will be no Issue Update on Friday, November 28.

We wish you and your loved ones a safe and joyful Thanksgiving, and we look forward to resuming our regular updates the following week.

FRA Legislative Fly-In Rescheduled to February 24–26, 2026

Due to the ongoing federal government shutdown, FRA made the difficult decision to reschedule the Legislative Fly-In to February 24–26, 2026. If these new dates open the door for you to attend, you can register here.

Although a shutdown restricts physical access to Capitol Hill, our advocacy efforts will continue without pause. FRA’s Issue Updates and Action Alertsremain valuable tools to keep you informed about policies affecting the wood supply chain and to help you engage directly with your elected officials on the issues that matter most to our industry.

FRA remains committed to advocating for the forest products supply chain and ensuring your voice is heard on Capitol Hill. We look forward to welcoming members to Washington, D.C. in February.

Safety Update

Sedgwick Safety Services

Situational Awareness at Work

In today’s fast-paced work environment, having an acute awareness of our surroundings is a crucial skill that helps employees recognize and avoid potential hazards and dangers around them. The term ‘Situational Awareness’ refers to one’s ability to observe and understand their environment, comprehend potential hazards and predict their impact. Everyone has this ability, but it is not always used to its fullest potential.

Heightened situational awareness is very helpful to all workers, but can be especially effective for those who have a changing work environment or those who are required to perform a variety of different job tasks, each with their own unique hazards. Examples include operators of powered industrial vehicles or heavy machinery, outdoor workers where changing weather conditions occur, construction workers on job sites, service providers, educators and even healthcare workers.

To gain a better understanding of this concept, let’s take a look at the three core elements of situational awareness:

Observation - this is the ability to recognize what is happening in the environment around us. This may sound simple, but in today’s world with countless distractions, it can be challenging.
Comprehension – understanding the importance of how the actions of co-workers and the things we observe relate to our current tasks and situation. This is a form of hazard identification.
Predicting - anticipating future outcomes based on the current situation and assessing how they may impact not only ourselves, but also our work tasks and our coworkers. By identifying and recognizing hazards, we can develop the necessary steps to eliminate or minimize concerns.

Simply put, as we observe the environment in motion around us, we continuously assess for potential threats and respond quickly and appropriately to minimize danger to ourselves and others.

As we gain a better understanding of what situational awareness is and how it plays a role in the workplace, training employees is the next step. The benefits of training on situational awareness include the following:

ü Enhanced Safety: Improved situational awareness helps employees identify hazards before they become accidents, thereby reducing the risk of workplace injuries and incidents.

ü Better Decision Making: Employees adept at situational awareness are better equipped to assess risk, choose appropriate response actions and make informed decisions quickly, which is vital in an emergency situation.

ü Increased Efficiency: By being keenly aware of one’s surroundings, employees can detect obstacles, avoid redundant tasks and better coordinate work efforts with colleagues.

ü Improved Communication: Employees attuned to their environment can communicate more effectively about ongoing tasks, potential hazards and production or workflow changes, leading to better teamwork and synergy.

ü Creating a Safety Culture: A better understanding of the workplace fosters an environment where open communication about safety is encouraged. Employees are more apt to report hazards and share concerns without fear of reprisal, reinforcing the importance of situational awareness.

Situational awareness isn’t just a skill—it’s a mindset. By staying alert and engaged, employees contribute to a safer, more efficient workplace. Organizations can build this culture through training, leadership and continuous improvement.

If you would like to know more about Sedgwick’s safety services or would like to schedule a confidential consultation, please contact Andy Sawan at andrew.sawan@sedgwick.com or 330-819-4728.