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October 24, 2003

Congressman Making Stuff Up Again

Leave it to Congressman John Peterson to make a false claim about the economics of the timber industry in Pennsylvania. In today's Bradford Era Peterson blames reduced logging levels in the Allegheny National Forest for the loss of value-added furniture makers. This is nonsense for a couple of reasons: 1) we have virtually no value added furniture makers because Peterson and his friends at AHUG have promoted the export of our logs and 2) logging in our region has increased over the past few years. Or does Peterson forget using his position in the State Assembly to promote funding to groups like the Pennsylvania Hardwood Development Council to push the export of hardwood logs.

In fact, in today's article Peterson says that we need to do more logging so that the timber industry can help improve our rural economy. However, logging in our areas has increased over 300% these last three decades and that has done nothing for our regional unemployment and economic stability.

And get this, despite blaming logging levels in the Allegheny National Forest Peterson admits that the problem is that jobs are disappearing to China. Is this amnesia or does he really forget that he voted to normalize trade relations with China three years ago?

Here are Peterson's comments:

Peterson said a lack of timber cutting in the Allegheny National Forest has also helped lead wood product businesses in his district to close their doors.

"The dynamics have changed," Peterson said. "Those furniture businesses that were once located here are moving to China. The forest is not putting enough cherry out on the market ... and the demand for cherry is intense now."

Peterson said China is currently buying saw logs, which don't need graded, sorted or dried. "It's put a crimp in what once was a steady business around here."

"Our wood products business was our 'ace in the hole,'" Peterson said. "Now, companies are going to China and they're not coming here."

"That was one part we could be secure in and continue to grow," he said of the timber industry.

It is time for Peterson and the timber industry to get real. If we want a healthy economy we need to attract a diversified economic base. And if we want to stem population declines we need to make our area more attractive to young aduts between 25 and 40 years old. This means meeting their demands for scenic beauty and recreation opportunities. And gee, what do you know, we have a 513,000 acre national forest right here available to do just that with the appropriate political will.

Posted by jkleissler at October 24, 2003 03:17 PM

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