Other Stories this issue

Mr. Tyson’s Neighborhood

State Chip Mill Committee 
Releases Report

Big Industry Wants Different Rules
for Electricity in Missouri

Outings

Genetic Engineering in the News

We Defend Clean Air Suit

State Assembly Legislation
Overshadowed by Races

Thomas Moran - new chapter
political chair

New Opportunities for Roadless Areas

Smart Growth - Congestion Pricing

Archives

State Chip Mill Committee Releases Report 
by Caroline Pufalt 

November, 1998, was the starting point for the Governor’s Advisory Committee on Chip Mills, and in December, 1999, it released its report for public comment. It would be easy to be disappointed in the report as it failed to reach consensus on tough measures needed to protect Missouri’s forests from the high capacity chip mill threat. But the many members of the public who followed the committee’s work can appreciate the difficult job and short time frame the committee had. The draft report acknowledges many problems facing Missouri’s forests. It reports on the ecological, economic, and social angles of forest management that chip mills aggravate. The committee members themselves were a diverse group of people, the fact that the report recognizes these problems is a valuable accomplishment.

Early on, committee members recognized that the chip mill threat was only highlighting some underlying problems in forest ownership and management. The committee did agree on the need for logger education and for more information and agency assistance to landowners. There was also considerable agreement on the need for state standards for certifying professional foresters. The committee was unable to come to agreement on issues such as how to enforce the use of what is called “best management practices” (BMPs), which are minimal standards set to reduce soil erosion and water runoff. There was no agreement on methods to reduce large scale clear–cutting or land conversion. There was recognition among many committee members of the desirability to limit chip mill operations in Missouri. High capacity chip mills put pressure on landowners to clear-cut and lose the potential growth of many pole size trees. This is poor timber management and has obvious ecological impacts. But again the committee found it difficult to agree on how to limit chip mill presence in Missouri. The draft did include a discussion of these issues and ideas on how to implement these stronger measures were provided in the public comment period. The Sierra Club submitted comments and many individual Sierrans also contributed. The draft report can be viewed as an important step in ongoing efforts to improve the management of Missouri’s forests. 

Committee members included legislators, agency personnel, landowners, mill owners, and concerned citizens. Together they listened to many Missourians and out–of–state specialists discuss chip mills. The committee held public hearings and took a field trip. It visited a variety of forest management sites in the state. Throughout the committee’s year long work, the public was invited to view its actions, and on many occasions contribute and participate in discussions. The committee was established by Governor Carnahan and the state can be credited with taking this important step in addressing chip mill threats. Now, however, in order to reach real protective measures we must continue efforts at legislation and education to bring about the change we need. Although the official comment period for the report ended in December, this issue is far from over. It is never too late to let your state representative know about your concern for Missouri’s forests and your desire to see them protected from chip mills.