"Providing leadership and education to assure the sustainability of our forest resources"

Lakes States Lumber Association History

October 1981 - Organizational Meeting to establish Lake States Lumber Association.

Determined to become an educational and politically pro-active industrial association in a time that was perceived to be a time when our industry was under a great deal of environmental criticism and political scrutiny.

Began instruction courses on a local regional level to educate employees of our membership in the fundamental skills required for primary and secondary production. Instituted a permanent committee for education.

In partnership with other trade organizations, hired a lobbyist for the states of Wisconsin and Michigan, on order to follow state legislation that might affect our industry in general issues from truck weight limits to workman's compensation to safety to property rights to forestry.

Established a pattern of formal annual meetings to inform the membership of timely and pertinent issues affecting the membership.

Began to work with the United States Forest Service in the planning process on Federal Forests in the Lake States Region to try to insure future raw material availability for member companies and set a tone for responsible utilization of the resource. National Forests, which were affected by our involvement, were the Ottawa, Superior, Chippewa, Nicolet, Chequamegon, Huron-Manistee, and Hiawatha. The Association tried to keep a clear line of communication with the Regional Forester and his staff in Milwaukee, WI. To facilitate our approach the Association enlisted the aid of a law firm with a background in forestry related issues.

The Association established a separate committee on Forest Resources whose full undivided efforts were geared to deal with national, state, county, and private forestry.

The Association was along with the Wisconsin Paper Council and the Michigan-Wisconsin Timber Producers, a founder of the Lake States Resource Alliance. This group was originally set up to provide a unified approach to combating a legal suit initiated by the Sierra Club and the Audubon Council against the Nicolet National Forest. The Alliance has now become an integrated entity of its own with membership which includes and number of user groups who have a stake in the National Forests and their varied uses.

In 1993 the Association expanded the scope and concept of the Education Committee by setting it up as a separate tax sheltered corporation and entity. Its function was expanded to include the overall educational concerns of educating the public as to the role of the forest products industry in economic fabric of our geographical region. This group now coordinates its activities with other educational institutions and programs for the overall support of our industry.

Currently the Lake States Association is recognized as responsible voice on forestry related issues throughout our range. It will continue to be an active participant in political and resource matters that have any bearing on our membership.