In response to the recently published news articles opposing SB 396, the forest products industry has been hard at work to ensure that all sides — the County Road Association, county road commissions and the many businesses within the forest products industry across the state — find common ground when it comes to transportation legislation.

Our intent for SB 396 is to amend the Michigan Vehicle Code to create a statewide approach to bond requirements for trucks transporting forest products on county roads. Additionally, to create a policy that would allow an unloaded forestry harvest vehicle to operate on the shoulder of a highway for no more than 20 miles.

The passage of this legislation is needed in order to help our expanding and thriving industry navigate the transportation of raw materials and finished products. “Ag commodities” (as defined by the Michigan Vehicle Code) are already allowed to obtain bond requirements during spring months while forest products experience the same expiration and necessity to move during that time period and are not offered the same opportunity. Unfortunately, the bond policy varies county by county as well. We’re just trying to unify transportation requirements across the state.

The forest products industry proposed the $2,000-per-mile bond provision to the County Road Association with the intent they would be able to alter the dollar amount, if they saw fit, to match the costs necessary to repair any damage to the road or to help offset any costs associated with the other provisions within the bill — i.e., weight restriction signage. The County Road Association did not and has not offered an alternative dollar amount for the provision.

Currently, less than 50 percent of Michigan’s forest growth is harvested and lost to mortality per year. If this bill isn’t passed, that number will only increase, contributing to a deterioration of Michigan’s forestland and an increase in the chance of forest disease and decline. Income coming into our state from the sale of forest products will also decline, threatening the economic viability of an industry that provides at least 96,000 jobs and $20.3 billion in economic activity.

It is not our intent to destroy, damage or cause any excessive repairs to be needed on any township, county or state road — that’s not good for anyone in Michigan. In fact, we have even offered to provide training to loggers on best management practices to protect our roads. It is our goal to continue to seek equitable road funding and improved road infrastructure to ensure the sustainability of Michigan’s forest products industry. When articles that portray our industry in a negative way make it to the front page, motivation for capital investment from the forest products industry in northern Michigan and the U.P. decreases.