----- Original Message -----
From: "Tom Reese" <>
Subject: [Norton AntiSpam] Re: PESO Black Bear
The current administration may be the most environmentally destructive in
recent history. They're moving to open the Arctic Wildlife Refuge to oil
drilling, they're selling off our national forests to the timber companies
and they're working hard to defeat the purpose of the endangered species
program. When wildlife and the needs of people conflict the wildlife
always
loses.
The forestry issue is particularly ironic, as it not only affects
biodiversity, but is very detrimental to international relations.
No, I don't hate Americans, but man oh man, sometimes you guys are annoying.
Not you specifically, mind you....
Heres what happens in the forestry sector:
Most Canadian forests are Crown owned land, logging rights are given to
companies and in return royalties are collected.
The lumber companies also pay for replanting the forests that they cut.
They also have to answer to the land owners (thats the Canadian government,
and the citizens who elect it, so our logging practices are somewhat more
environmentally friendly)
Becuase the land isn't bought by the lumber companies, they only have to pay
for the trees they take, and for replanting.
This allows them to sell lumber for less money, since they have smaller
input costs.
My understanding is that little or no logging is done on US Federal land.
You want the trees, you buy the property.
This makes the cost of logging higher in the US, and makes US sourced lumber
more expensive.
So, what happens?
Canadian industry ends up paying a tarrif of over 20% (right now, 21%, down
from 27% recently) on any lumber being shipped into the USA, because our
lumber is "subsidised".
We call it a smarter method of resource management.
NAFTA, GATT, and the WTO all agree with us, but I just read in the local
paper today that US lumber had launched yet another (the count now is well
over 40) trade barrier to get higher duties placed on Canadian imports.
Beats the heck out of competing, especially with the Byrd Ammendmant on your
side....
All this does is make the prduct more expensive to the consumer, so the next
time you buy a 2x4, remember that almost 1/3 of the cost is there becuase
your government loves you.
William Robb
