“ Many of the larger companies in Appalachia have started to focus on machinery and technology as substitutes for labor , since we seem to be constantly short of people ,” adds McNeel .
Not without solutions , many of the state ’ s higher education institutions offer two and four-year degrees in forestryrelated programs . The West Virginia Wood Technology Center has partnered with several organizations to provide training for various aspects of the hardwood industry . These partnerships include the Randolph County Housing Authority ’ s Get Ready and STRIVE programs , both of which train workers in hardwood machine operation , workplace safety and heavy equipment operation .
“ The center also partners with the YouthBuild program and the Mountaineer ChalleNGe Academy to help prepare the workforce needed by hardwoods and related industries and the National Hardwood Lumber Association to provide lumber grading classes for individuals and businesses ,” says Morris .
While the industry continues to maneuver through various challenges , there are also several clear growth and development opportunities . Not least among these is the fact that ,
Forest Carbon Credits
West Virginia Executive understands that in any industry , there are hot topics of conversation and opposing views to concepts and ideas . For the forest products industry , one of those topics is carbon credits . Below , Michael Haid , executive director of the West Virginia Land and Mineral Owners Association , shares his view in favor of carbon credits , while Anthony Raines , president of Rainco Forest Resources , shares his view in opposition of them .
IN FAVOR OF
By Michael Haid , West Virginia Land and Mineral Owners Association Executive Director
How will carbon affect timber and wood companies ?
Beyond their primary goal as a mechanism for reducing the effects of climate change , forest carbon programs began to provide a funding stream to landowners between harvests . In West Virginia , a growth cycle might be between 50-60 years . Forest carbon programs allow you to get paid to regrow those forested lands . The most common forest carbon term length in West Virginia is 20-40 years , which aligns with growth cycles , ensuring that the owners have consistent revenue . Older-growth forests store more carbon , but younger trees absorb more carbon . When older trees are harvested , the lumber continues to store the absorbed carbon in wood products . Managed harvesting reduces the risk of wildfire , pests and disease , which can result in the release of carbon from the trees , and it improves the natural regeneration of trees . Additionally , using the Family Forest Carbon Program as an example , up to 25 % of the property can be harvested ensuring sawmills have a consistent supply of timber .
What are the pros of carbon credits in West Virginia ?
We believe individuals have certain private property rights . We ’ ve never pushed for any government mandate toward forest carbon programs as it ’ s all been left to the free market to decide . We think that allowing individual landowners to make responsible decisions about their property is a good thing . Each landowner should have the freedom to optimize their economic resources . The protection of property is a fundamental right valued by West Virginians . Regulating and taxing forest carbon agreements out of existence is anti-free market and an intrusion of government into private property rights and contracts . Landowners should be able to decide how to best utilize their property without government interference .
How do carbon credits impact the economy in West Virginia ?
Forest carbon programs have the potential to be a tremendous boom to the economy of West Virginia . Many small to medium-sized landowners can leverage their forested lands to bring in additional income . That income stream can be enough to make needed improvements to the land , upgrade farming equipment and pay property taxes . Oftentimes , these plots of land have been in West Virginia families for generations , and with a tightening economy , it can be tempting to sell it to meet an immediate economic need . Now , rather than going that route , they can keep that land in the family by enrolling their property in a forest carbon program and generate much-needed , taxable income .
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WEST VIRGINIA EXECUTIVE