Timber Talk 8/12/25

Jenna Reese
Aug 11
9 min read

OFA Update

The Paul Bunyan Show is around the corner

We are fast approaching our 2025 Paul Bunyan Show at the Guernsey Co. Fairgrounds in Cambridge, Ohio. Over 160 exhibitors will join us to showcase their products to thousands of excited attendees. We would like to thank our members who are participating, and will be sending out complimentary tickets to all members in the coming weeks. We would greatly appreciate if you can share the QR code or ticket link on the right with your friends and family and tell them about the show. We look forward to seeing so many of you in October.

Kiln Drying Course Cancelled

For those who missed our initial memo, we wanted to reiterate that we will no longer be hosting our August Kiln Drying Course. If you have registered for this course, OFA will be reaching out to issue you a refund for the course. Please reach out to us with any questions or for more information regarding this change. We apologize for any inconvenience and look forward to seeing you at another upcoming event.

Lundy Crownover Obituary

Lundy worked alongside his wife and parents at a family-owned business, Crownover Lumber Company, in McArthur, Ohio for over 54 years until he and his wife Cheryl retired in 2020.

He graduated from McArthur High School, was active in the Ohio Forestry Association, and was a member of the Walnut Street United Methodist Church.

Visitation and services happened earlier this month, but you can still contribute by planting a tree in his honor and can view his obituary at the link below.

View Obituary/Plant a Tree for Lundy

Market Update

HardwoodReview Forecasting

The potential for turbulent summer markets is high, with the pending reinstatement of U.S. import tariffs and traditional summertime lulls. Yet, with few exceptions, hardwood lumber prices have not yet collapsed under the weight of disrupted international trade. U.S. domestic demand remains relatively good and lumber production has been constrained—to the point that prices for some items have climbed, and are projected to climb further, even as demand uncertainties remain. That could potentially change if Vietnam is unable to sustainably offset Chinese demand for hardwood logs, and/or if drier summer weather suddenly improves log availability. However, a lack of loggers is a bigger issue than weather in many areas, and few mills will risk higher production without a more confident outlook.

It is also possible that U.S. consumer confidence could be shaken if the country is drawn deeper into the Israel-Iran conflict, or if the civil unrest in major U.S. cities worsens. Still, however the tariff and trade deals play out this summer, at least they should play out, which will begin to issue in some clarity about future demand, even with the Section 232 determinations about the national security impacts of U.S. imports still to be determined.

Legislative Update

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

Loggers Economic Assistance and Relief Act

Introduced by Congressman Jared Golden (D-ME-02) and Senator Susan Collins (R-ME), the Loggers Economic Assistance and Relief Act (H.R. 4665, S. 2399) is a bipartisan, bicameral legislation to establish a disaster relief fund within the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for timber harvesting and hauling businesses impacted by natural disasters.

Under the bill, logging businesses that experience a minimum 10% loss in revenue or volume due to a presidential or gubernatorial disaster declaration would be eligible for federal assistance. Covered events include high winds, wildfires, flooding, drought, and insect infestations. Payments would equal 10% of gross revenue, benchmarked against the same period in the prior year.

This legislation builds on the precedent set by the Pandemic Assistance for Timber Harvesters and Haulers (PATHH) Program, which FRA worked extensively to develop with the Trump and Biden Administrations, and was launched in 2021 to support loggers and truckers impacted by COVID-19. PATHH provided up to $125,000 per applicant, based on an 80% reimbursement of revenue losses between 2019 and 2020. Like PATHH, these bills recognize the unique vulnerabilities of timber businesses and aim to deliver targeted relief during economic disruptions. FRA received the Forest Service Chief’s Award in recognition of its efforts in developing and promoting the PATHH program and securing crucial funding for the industry.

FRA Submits Comments on USDA NEPA Interim Rule

FRA submitted formal comments on the USDA’s interim rule revising National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) procedures. While FRA supports efforts to streamline project reviews and strengthen planning, the association raised concerns about the rule’s treatment of public engagement and procedural clarity. Overall, FRA supports NEPA’s role in advancing forest management and wildfire mitigation, but calls for clearer and more consistent public engagement protocols.

Public Comment for Environmental Assessments: The rule lacks clarity on how public input will be gathered during Environmental Assessments (EAs). FRA warns that removing or obscuring this step could undermine the objection process and delay projects.
Standardized Comment Periods: FRA urges USDA to require consistent public comment periods for both Environmental Assessments (EAs) and Environmental Impact Statements (EISs) to reduce litigation risk and improve stakeholder engagement.
Extraordinary Circumstances Clause: FRA recommends removing the reference to “important or prime agricultural, forest, or range lands” due to its subjectivity and potential for inconsistent application.

Bottom Line: FRA supports NEPA’s role in advancing forest management and wildfire mitigation, but calls for clearer and more consistent public engagement protocols.

Background: The USDA’s interim NEPA rule is part of a broader federal shift to streamline environmental reviews and accelerate project approvals. It replaces prior Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) regulations with agency-specific procedures, emphasizing efficiency and flexibility.

Public Opinion Snapshot: Strong Support for Pro-Growth Tax Policies

Recentpollingreveals that while many Americans remain unfamiliar with the details of the One Big Beautiful Bill, support for its core tax provisions is strong and growing. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce national survey of over 2,000 adults highlights broad voter alignment with policies that promote economic growth, investment, and job creation.

Key Findings:

71% of voters say they’re more likely to support a congressional candidate who backs making the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act permanent.
65% support permanently extending the bill’s pro-growth provisions, which are set to expire this year.
62% favor permanent full capital expensing for business investments in machinery and technology.
67% support restoring the R&D tax deduction to spur innovation.
64% back restoring more flexible business interest deductions to help companies expand and hire.

Despite mixed awareness of the One Big Beautiful Bill, the data show strong public support for its core tax provisions. Voters overwhelmingly favor policies that promote economic growth, investment, and job creation, especially those that make the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act permanent.

Wood Markets/Mass Timber

In late July, Senators Jim Justice (R-WV), Steve Daines (R-MT), Raphael Warnock (D-GA), and Martin Heinrich (D-NM) introduced the Forest Bioeconomy Act. This bipartisan legislation directs the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), along with the Department of Energy (DOE), to expand research on the uses of low value commercial timber to support new wood products markets, sustain the wood products manufacturing sector and explore the viability/scalability of using wood and biomass as a feedstock for sustainable fuel. A centerpiece of the bill would establish a dedicated Office of Technology Transfer within the Forest Service to expand its commercialization of research findings and support the development of products utilizing Forest Service research. The legislation also establishes a mass timber science and education program under the Forest Service. The program would be specifically targeted at responding to the needs of architects, real estate developers, and the forest products industry. The program would, for example, connect researchers with private industry to make improvements in mass timber construction techniques for improved wildfire performance, structural stability, and energy use. This research would complement the existing Wood Innovations Grant (WIG) program.

Resources: Press Release

Trade

At 12:01 a.m. on Thursday, new tariffs were imposed on approximately 90 countries, with rates ranging from 10 to 50 percent. Products from the European Union, Japan, and South Korea will be taxed at a rate of 15 percent, while imports from Taiwan, Vietnam, and Bangladesh will be taxed at a rate of 20 percent. A special tariff rate of 50 percent will be imposed on India in about 3 weeks in response to India’s procurement of oil from Russia. In a somewhat promising development, Commerce Secretary Howard Luntnick has made public statements that the current trade deal with China will be extended another 90 days.Sectors across the economy have been raising with the Administration the issue of manufacturing component parts that cannot be sourced within the U.S, and whether tariff exemptions in these instances would be considered. Officials appear to understand that this is a legitimate claim and that supply chains are global and not confined to the U.S. However, no clear commitments on a tariff exemption process have been made.

Safety Update

Sedgwick Safety Services

Ohio BWC launches new SUPR program

The Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC) is making changes to enhance its efforts in addressing substance abuse among the state’s workforce. The new program, known as the Substance Use Prevention and Recovery Program (SUPR), combines the Drug-Free Safety Program (DFSP), DFSP Safety Grants and the Substance Use Recovery and Workplace Safety Program. This single program helps to address workplace misuse of alcohol and other drugs. The goal is to help state-fund employers prevent work-related injuries and illnesses by combining drug free efforts into an employer’s safety program.

The changes to the program took effect for private employers on July 1, 2025 and will take effect for public employers on January 1st, 2026.

Some highlights of the changes include:

· Most program participants will automatically be eligible for reimbursement grants.

· Expenses eligible for reimbursement have been expanded to include substance use assessments for employers with “second chance” policies.

· Enrollment has moved to year-round with the ability to earn a pro rata bonus.

· The requirement to file the Safety Management Self-Assessment (SH-26) has been eliminated.

· The requirement to file the Safety Action Plan (DFSP-5) has been eliminated.

· The requirement to file the online Accident Report (DFSP-1) will be required for lost-time claims only.

· An online portal is being developed to report on program requirement completion and request reimbursement of activities in one place.

As with many BWC programs, employers must meet certain eligibility requirements. To participate in SUPR, employers must:

· Be current on all BWC premium payments.

· Be in an “active” policy status (not lapsed or inactive).

· Have reported actual payroll and paid any premiums due for the previous year.

· Have no more than 40 days of lapsed workers’ compensation coverage in the last 12 months (Advanced and Basic Levels).

Employers electing to participate in the program have four program levels to choose from:

· Advanced – 7% bonus on premium payments.

· Basic – 4% bonus on premium payments.

· Comparable – Allows employers to be included on the list of approved state construction contractors.

· SUPR Reimbursement only – Eligible employers can request reimbursement of up to $5,000 for costs associated with developing or reviewing a drug-free workplace policy, employee and supervisor training, drug and alcohol testing and substance use assessments.

Program requirements vary by level of participation, so employers will need to provide the requirements as outlined by the BWC based on the participation level they select. Program Requirements include:

· Written policy

· Employee education

· Supervisor training

· Drug and alcohol testing

· Annual report

· Employee assistance

· Accident analysis

· Online accident reporting

As an example, if you choose to participate in the Basic, you will only be required to complete specific program requirements. However, if you choose Advanced you will need to complete Basic requirements in addition to other requirements.

If you would like to learn more about the changes to the program, go to Substance Use Prevention and Recovery Program or if you would like to enroll in the (SUPR) Program go to Substance Use Prevention and Recovery (SUPR) Program.

This is just one of the great opportunities the state of Ohio offers for employers, but there are other grant programs designed to help employers reduce injuries and illnesses in the workplace, as well. Click on the link to go to the BWC’s Safety Grant Programs.

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.