Have you wanted to train your own drivers to help them obtain a Commercial Drivers License (CDL), but you were overwhelmed by the new Federal Motor Carrier Services Administration (FMCSA) driver training rules?

The PLC is exploring the possibility of providing a new opportunity to help members train new drivers but needs feedback from the membership to see if we should move forward with the opportunity. If there is interest from the membership, the PLC would take care of the classroom portion at no charge, and you would do the behind-the-wheel training – just like the good ol’ days!

Please join us online via Teams, call-in, or join us at our office in Augusta and let us know if this is something that you want us to offer in 2024.

Interested? Call 207-688-8195 or email office@plcloggers.org and we will send you the agenda and teams link!

Maine Loggers and Truckers should report any storm damage or lost income to Maine Emergency Management Association – Fill Out Damage Assessment

Members, the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (DACF) is asking agriculture sector businesses including logging companies to submit damage assessments from recent storms using the Maine Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) form linked through the button below. The PLC’s recent storm assessment survey is part of what has prompted this request, and we encourage you to participate to ensure loggers are represented in this process. THE DEADLINE IS JAN. 31.

The DACF recommendation is to document damages associated with each separate storm event. Even if infrastructure is damaged multiple times, images, measurements, etc., each event should be captured to the best of your ability between events. Please take photos and measurements of damages and any temporary or permanent repairs between events.

The department notes that completion of a damage assessment form does not mean that funding is or will be available to help cover the costs incurred by storm damage, but says businesses can help MEMA assess the need to request potential federal emergency support by documenting the impact of the storm. DACF adds that it is important to accurately document your damages as soon as possible.

If you require assistance filling out the forms, the DACF is asking that you please dial 2-1-1.

If you have any questions about this process please feel free to contact the PLC.

MEMA Damage Assessment Form

Professional Logging Contractors (PLC) of the Northeast Log A Load for Maine Kids effort raises record $287,691 in 2023

Funds raised for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals

AUGUSTA, ME – The Professional Logging Contractors (PLC) of the Northeast raised a record $287,691 for Children’s Miracle Network (CMN) Hospitals in Maine in 2023 through its annual Log A Load for Kids fundraising efforts.

The total shattered the previous record set in 2022 of $262,403, with the PLC’s two Log A Load golf tournaments and the Log A Load live auction at the PLC’s annual membership meeting performing strongly while funds raised at the American Loggers Council (ALC) annual meeting in Bethel, ME also contributed to the total.

“It is truly inspiring that despite the many challenges facing the Northeast’s logging industry, PLC’s Members, Supporting Members, friends, and families rallied once again in 2023 to raise a record amount for Children’s Miracle Network hospitals,” Dana Doran, Executive Director of the PLC, said. “No matter what the conditions in the industry are, this group always reaches deep for the kids and their families.”

Click Here for the Full Article

Welcome New Supporting Members!

Pete’s Equipment Sales & Rentals Inc. of Morristown, VT joined the PLC as a new Preferred Supporting Member in January of 2024. The company is a family-owned and operated equipment dealership founded in 1974 carrying a fine selection of agricultural, forestry, and construction equipment from various premium brands, and is the exclusive dealer for Metavic logging equipment in the United States. To learn more contact Jason Couture at (802)-888-5138 or email jason@petesequipmentvt.com

Waldo Solutions of Chassell, MI joined the PLC as a new Preferred Supporting Member in January of 2024. The company connects everyone in the logging industry by providing real-time job and load information through a chain-of-custody platform and mobile app enabling seamless communication for improved planning, control, transparency, security, and reporting. To learn more contact Brady Bekkala at (906-231-1420) or email brady@waldologs.com

Britton Lumber Company, LLC joined the PLC as a new Enhanced Supporting Member in January of 2024. The company is a forest products and building materials business. It was founded in 1946 in Hartland, VT. The company currently operates two divisions: Manufacturing, which produces Eastern White Pine boards with a sawmill, dry kilns and planer mill in Bath, NH; and Wholesale Distribution, which sells building materials from warehouses in Fairlee, VT, and Gray, ME. To learn more contact John Moses at (603)-838-5504 or email jmoses@brittonlumber.com

Maine Energy Systems, LLC of Bethel, ME joined the PLC as a new Supporting Member in January of 2024. The company builds and distributes the world’s finest fully automated wood pellet boilers and furnaces for residential, commercial and industrial use throughout North America. The company also delivers bulk wood pellets to many of the Northeast states. To learn more contact Ben Otten at (207) 824-6714 or email ben@maineenergysystems.com

Read the Winter 2024 Issue

Last Chance to Apply – Maine Forest Service Temporary Bridge Cost-Share Program

The Maine Forest Service has announced its Temporary Bridge Cost-Share Program is now open for applications. This project is funded through a grant from the USDA Forest Service that was created as a result of input from the American Loggers Council.

The new cost share program was created to help loggers and other interested forestry professionals purchase temporary bridges for use on forestry operations on Dec. 8. Eligible applicants will be reimbursed for 80% of costs, up to a maximum of $2,000 per bridge, for the purchase or construction of up to three new wooden temporary bridges for use on timber harvests in Maine.

For timber harvesting operations, using portable bridges for temporary stream crossings is one of the simplest and most cost-effective ways to cross streams. In addition, temporary bridges that are properly installed and removed after use do not cause negative impacts to streams such as chronic sedimentation, damage to the stream banks or channel, or barriers to the movement of fish and other aquatic wildlife.

Who is eligible to apply?

Timber harvesting and forestry service providers based in Maine may apply. Eligible applicants include logging contractors, private consulting foresters, and companies employing licensed foresters. Program funds are limited and applications will be accepted and reviewed on a quarterly basis for as long as funding is available. Note that preference will be given to sole proprietors and companies with fewer than 11 employees. Companies with 11 or more employees should still apply and should not be deterred from submitting an application.

REMINDER: THIS IS A REIMBURSEMENT PROGRAM. YOUR APPLICATION MUST BE SUBMITTED AND APPROVED BEFORE A BRIDGE IS BUILT OR PURCHASED.

The first application period will be from December 8, 2023 through January 31, 2024. Applications will be accepted on a quarterly basis for as long as funds are available.

For more information, visit the MFS Temporary Bridge Cost Share Program or contact Tom Gilbert at (207) 441-5282 or thomas.gilbert@maine.gov.

Apply Here

This year, the PLC Annual Meeting, Dinner, Awards Ceremony and Live Log A Load Auction will be held on May 9 – 10, 2024at the Samoset Resort in Rockport! Please be sure to block the dates in your calendars.

We are planning for a fun social event on Thursday, so stay tuned for more updates.

Below is the reservation link for early booking information.

Reservation Booking Link:

Professional Logging Contractors of the Northeast

Code: 051024plcm

FRA Forestry Forum Meeting Announcement – February 1, 2024

WHEN:            Thursday, February 1, 2024
WHERE:          Jeff’s Catering -15 Littlefield Way, Brewer, Maine
TIME:             5:30 – 6:15 PM – Social “Hour”
                       6:15 – 7:00 PM – Buffet Dinner
                       7:00 – 8:00 PM – Forum Speaker and Discussion

COST: $25 for Members and $35 for Non-Members – Payable at the door. Payment via cash, check or credit card.
Pre-registration is requested to assure an accurate head count for meals!

Forest Carbon and Maine Policy – Andrew Whitman
Join Andy Whitman, the Maine Forest Service’s recently hired Climate & Forest Carbon Specialist, to learn about regional forest carbon issues and markets, and their importance to the Maine forest industry. While forests are a significant carbon sink and part of Maine’s climate strategy, some carbon markets may discourage active forest management. Come learn about Maine’s forest carbon discussions, and how other states in the region are approaching the issue.

LEARN MORE

Northeastern Loggers’ Association Expo 2024

PLC Members Only!

Equipment Cost Calculators Available

Members,

With expenses rising rapidly in the industry we know you are struggling to get a handle on your costs. This is a great time to utilize the cost calculators created in 2021 for PLC Members.

These new, easy to use, logging equipment and log trucking cost calculators are available on the PLC Members Only section of our web site You may access this private section of the web site with your member login or set up a login HERE.

These calculators allow you to quickly estimate the hourly cost of operation for any piece of your equipment.

DISCLAIMER: These calculators are being made available for your business use as a member benefit. They produce equipment estimates and are not official products of the PLC nor should they be used for negotiation purposes.

PLC Online Store

Looking for great PLC items and apparel? Gifts? First Aid packs, safety items and more? You will find them at the new PLC Online Store on our web site. Ordering is easy.

CHECK IT OUT HERE

Safety Resources

Cross Insurance TPA – Feb SIG Training 2-7-24

Overcoming Negativity in the Workplace

Presented by: Career Management Associates

Is your workplace a positive, uplifting place to be, or do you feel your energy levels drop the moment you enter the door? Negativity can become a vicious cycle where everyone feels irritable and discouraged, leading to higher employee turnover, lower employee engagement, and ultimately decreased productivity. Negativity in the workplace directly impacts individual employees, the team, and the organization itself. This interactive workshop starts with workplace negativity and its causes, and then discusses strategies on how to rebuild trust, stop enablement, hold people accountable, and best practices for long term positive success.

Who Should Attend? Managers/Supervisors; Human Resource Directors; Safety Coordinators

Program Fee: $75/pp

Registration Information

To register for the February 7th session, please copy and paste the link listed below to your web browser. If this does not work return to the original email and select the link located there.

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwpc–trD4pG9wLglBY3am-aUnKXlYL46r3

Please register by January 24th. Maximum of 80 attendees per session.

If you have any questions or issues with registering, please e-mail us at

tpa-trainings@crossagency.com

Note: In case of inclement weather, please call 1-800-698-3267 Ext 1021 to get a recorded message about training cancellation.

SafetyWorks!

Workplace safety and labor law requirements can seem complex – join the Maine Department of Labor for no-cost upcoming trainings!

To view all January 2024 classes, visit their website at www.safetyworksmaine.gov

Register and browse more SafetyWorks! classes: https://www.safetyworksmaine.gov/training/scheduled_classes/register.shtml

If you have questions about safety or upcoming classes, reach out to SafetyWorks! at 1-877-SAFE-345 or general.bls-safetyworks@maine.gov.

If you have questions about Wage and Hour compliance, please reach out to the Wage and Hour Division at 207-623-7900 or bls.mdol@maine.gov, or visit www.maine.gov/labor/bls/.

New Small PLC Operator/Driver First Aid Pack!

In response to demand for a smaller/”must have in an emergency” first aid pack to be stored in a machine or pickup, the PLC has created a new Operator/Driver First Aid Pack.

Contains “must have in an emergency” bleeding control items
One pack is recommended per machine/truck
Detachable velcro panel ideal for mounting in a machine or truck
Meets OSHA requirements for a logging first aid kit
Supplements PLC’s larger first aid back pack but is not a replacement

The PLC Member price is $69 plus tax and shipping (if it is not picked up by the contractor or delivered by the PLC). Color RED

More information on the pack and its contents is available HERE.

Get yours now by clicking HERE!

PLC Crew First Aid Backpack

Still available – This first aid pack was designed for the PLC members to provide you with the supplies you need for a crew in the woods. PLC Member Price – $299 plus tax and shipping (Free Pick-up available) – Color – RED

To order Click HERE

CPR/First Aid/Bloodborne Pathogens certification: Did you know your employees are required to have this training every two years? If your employees need this training in 2023, contact Jessica at Jessica@maineloggers.com or 207-688-8195 and the PLC will schedule training in your area. THIS TRAINING IS FREE TO MEMBERS!