Michigan's forests and forest products industry contribute more than $14 billion annually to the state's economy and support more than 136,000 jobs.
Several business owners across northern Michigan are taking part in a new council for the timber industry.
The Timber Advisory Council (TAC) will work closely with the new state forester, who will be hired by the Department of Natural Resources in the near future.
"Michigan has great potential to carefully and judiciously utilize its natural resources to benefit the state's economy," Governor Rick Snyder said. "I am confident this council will work cooperatively with the two departments to establish programs that promote Michigan's forest products industry."
The 10-person council will focus on state forestry and land use policy to achieve the best, most prudent utilization of forest industry resources.
The TAC will assist the state in implementing programs that will sustain economic and environmental best practices for harvesting timberland. The TAC will examine timber use for logging and lumber, pulp and paper, fuels and other forestland uses.
"Growing Michigan's natural resources-based economy through wise and sustainable use is one of my top priorities," said DNR Director Rodney Stokes. "I look forward to working with the TAC on this mission, which will focus on Michigan's forestry resources."
J.R. Richardson of Ontonagon, currently a member of the Michigan Natural Resources Commission, will chair the council. Richardson currently works for TRAXYS Corp., a company invested in renewable energy production in the Upper Peninsula.
Other members of the council include:
Charles Becker of Gladstone, resource supervisor for Plum Creek Timber in Escanaba, responsible for overseeing management activities of 240,000 acres in the eastern Upper Peninsula.
Rich Bowman of Grand Rapids, director of government relations for The Nature Conservancy.
Margaret Gale, Ph.D., of Calumet, dean of the School of Forest Resources and Environmental Science at Michigan Technological University in Houghton.
Gerald Grossman of Newberry, president of Grossman Forestry Company, a company that manages more than 320,000 acres in the Upper Peninsula.
Jon Lamy of Iron Mountain, resource manager for Louisiana-Pacific Corp. based in Sagola.
Keith Martell, Jr. of Gaylord, president and owner of Martell Forestry, Inc. in Gaylord.
Gary Melow of Ithaca, director of Michigan Biomass, an advocacy group for small wood-fired power generators.
Margaret Minerick of Sagola, president and owner of Sagola Hardwoods in Sagola.
Jessica Turino of Manton, senior forestry services specialist for Weyerhaeuser NR Company in Grayling.
Michigan's forests and forest products industry contribute more than $14 billion annually to the state's economy and support more than 136,000 jobs.
