PPRC Position Paper on Chip Mills

PPRC Position Paper on Chip Mills

Wood Products Industry workers support the use of chip mills for forest health, aesthetics and economic values.

The environmental community has made chip mills a major focal point, like the spotted owl, and a surrogate for the real issue which is "Timber Harvesting."

The fact that most of the timberland in the nation is privately owned makes attacking the issue of timber harvesting difficult since it requires attacking the ideals of private ownership and private property rights.

Chip Mill Issues:

Some environmental extremists are using chip mills to attract public and political attention as well as sympathy.
Chip mills are not "new" and have been in operation for over 90 years.
Like any other manufacturing facility, chip mills are regulated by local, state and federal permits and zoning.
Chip mills offer private landowners the opportunity to market low value timber as fiber for pulp and paper mills.
Chip mill operations are not causing devastating large-scale forest destruction as the environmental extremists are saying.

The Pulp and Paperworkers’ Resource Council seeks a balanced solution:

The PPRC is opposed to exporting fiber that could result in the loss of American jobs.
Wood products industries recognize the importance of healthy and productive forests forever.
Portable chip mills are tools used by forest management to assure American forests remain healthy and productive.
Portable chip mills are a valuable tool for biomass removal, fire prevention, and forest restoration.

Wood products are easily and completely recyclable, renewable, reusable, biodegradable and easily grown.

Wood is the most environmentally friendly resource on earth. Our jobs depend on the continued

use of this renewable resource provided by the forests of our nation

The PPRC is a grassroots organization representing the interests of the nation's pulp, paper, solid wood products, and other natural resource-based workers. The U.S. forest products industry is vitally important to our nation's economy, employing 1.5 million people. We rank among the top 10 manufacturers in 46 states with annual sales exceeding $230 billion, which accounts for 7 % of the U.S. manufacturing shipments. We are people dedicated to conserving the environment while taking into account the economic stability of the workforce and surrounding community.

Position Paper Page

Rev. 02-02-08