Lawmakers From Across State Among Forestry Tour Crowd
Thirteen Assembly Republicans representing districts that cover all corners of the state met in Antigo on Thursday for a behind-the-scenes tour of northern Wisconsin’s logging and forestry industry.
The tour was organized by 35th Assembly Rep. Rep. Mary Czaja of Irma, whose district includes Antigo, and 34th Assemblyman Rep. Rob Swearingen of Rhinelander.
They were joined by eleven colleagues, including Assembly Speaker Robin Vos of Rochester, Assistant Majority Leader Dan Knodl of Germantown, Joint Finance Co-Chair John Nygren of Marinette, and Forestry Chair Jeff Mursau of Crivitz, whose 36th District includes White Lake and eastern Langlade County.
“Here in the northwoods we understand forests are not only for recreation but are also a vital part of the economy,” Czaja said. “I sincerely appreciate my colleagues from other regions of the state, especially those from more urban areas, recognizing that we need to support our timber producers and ensure the local economy here in the north can compete and remain viable.”
A highlight of the day was a lunchtime visit to Kretz Lumber, where company president Troy Brown hosted a working-lunch question and answer session followed by a full plant tour for the group. The representatives had a firsthand look at the unique lumber handling process that sets apart Kretz maple woods as the finest in the industry and also focused on the critical need for a consistent timber supply to produce high-quality wood products for cabinetmakers, furniture, flooring, window and door manufacturers.
The group began the day in Tomahawk, with a visit to a cut site operated by logger Paul Roberts. Legislators had the opportunity to observe Roberts and his team harvesting timber and to hear the history of Roberts Logging that stretches back to the late 1800s. Industry professionals Henry Schienebeck of Great Lakes Timber Professionals Association and Jane Severt of Wisconsin County Forests Association also participated in the tour and shared their expertise with the group.
A visit to the Packaging Corporation of America mill in Tomahawk was the third and final stop of the day. Mill manager Adam Webster opened with a brief presentation of PCA’s leading role in the corrugated cardboards market and took the group on a step-by-step tour of each phase in the production process. Webster echoed the comments of Brown from earlier in the day, that one of the single biggest challenges facing Wisconsin mills today is a dependable and adequate wood supply.
“Today really was what being a representative is all about,” Swearingen said. “We had the opportunity to showcase the tremendous potential of Wisconsin’s forests and I think the group really recognized how important the northern region is to making our state thrive.”
Other lawmakers on the tour include Rep. Michael Schraa, Oshkosh; Rep. Tyler Vorpagel, Plymouth; Rep. Joel Kitchens, Sturgeon Bay; Rep. Paul Tittl, Manitowoc; Rep. Ken Skowronski, Franklin; Rep. Terry Katsma, Oostburg; Rep Tom Larson, Colfax; Rep. Scott Krug, Nekoosa; and Rep. Scott Allen, Waukesha
According to the Department of Natural Resources, forestry is the number one employer in seven northern Wisconsin counties and is the state’s second-largest manufacturing employer. The combined job total for all aspects of the forestry industry including forestry and logging, pulp and paper, sawmills and wood products is over 62,200 employees at 1,462 establishments. The average wage is $49,583 and total wages contribute $3.1 billion per year to Wisconsin’s economy.
Kretz industrial forester Al Koeppel gave lawmakers a primer in the values of various types of hard maple Thursday.
Source: Antigo Daily Journal