This will be your last opportunity to fill out the Maine Logging and Forest Trucking Loss and Damage Survey. If you have not already done so, please take a couple of minutes and fill it out by tomorrow,January 5, 2024. You can fill it out right from your phone!

The PLC realizes most if not all of you are currently dealing with the ongoing effects of the severe storm on December 18, 2023. Below is a link to a survey to quantify the financial impact of the storm on Maine’s loggers and forest truckers. We will convey the results of this survey to Maine Governor Janet Mills and the information will be utilized as the PLC moves forward with advocacy efforts on your behalf. Survey data will be anonymous, but it will be used in aggregate to inform response efforts and advocate for future relief and recovery programs.

Please respond to the survey by Friday, January 5, 2023 if you have not already done so. We realize it might still be too early for you to assess the storm’s total impact on your business, but please try to give your best estimate by the deadline. You may also fill the survey out immediately and if you later determine you have additional losses, you may submit an updated version.

Please be safe out there and let us know if you have any questions.

Survey

Maine PLC Legislative Breakfast

Welcome New Members!

Contractor Member

T.B. Lincoln Logging, Inc of Northfield Falls, VT joined the PLC as a new Contractor Member in December 2023. T.B. Lincoln Logging currently has 3 employees. For more information, contact Tom Lincoln at (802) 276-3172 or tblincoln78@gmail.com.

Preferred Supporting Member

The Rowley Agency, LLC of Concord, NH joined the PLC as a new Preferred Supporting Member in December 2023. The Rowley Agency was established in 1966, starting with a single office in Concord, NH, and now we are one of the largest independent insurance agencies in northern New England. They offer a wide range of services including business insurance, surety bonds, personal insurance, and employee benefits. For more information visit their website at www.rowleyagency.com.

The Northeastern Loggers Association is now accepting nominations for industry achievement awards through January 31, 2024!

Awards Program

Through its annual awards program, NELA strives to recognize significant achievement in eleven categories. A maximum of one award will be given in each category. There may be circumstances when no awards are given in a category or categories. A plaque will be awarded in each of the categories.

To be eligible for one of those awards, or to make a nomination, the person or organization need not be a member of the Northeastern Loggers’ Association. An individual can nominate themselves or their organization, or it may be done by an outside party. The nominee must reside or conduct business in the Northeast and Lake States. Awards are presented each year at the Loggers’ Banquet held just prior to the Northeastern Forest Products Equipment Exposition. Look for the call for nominations in The Northern Logger and Timber Processor.

More information is available at https://www.northernlogger.com/awards/.

Submitting a Nomination

Fax to (315) 369-3736
Email our office: nela@northernlogger.com
Mail to NELA, PO Box 69, Old Forge, N.Y. 13420

Nominations must be received by January 31, 2024. You can also get your nomination started over the phone, so feel free to call at (315) 369-3078 with any questions.

Award Categories:

Outstanding Logging Operator

Outstanding Sawmill Operator

Outstanding Industry Advocate

Outstanding Wood Manufacturer

Outstanding Service to the Forest Industry

Outstanding Management of Resources

Outstanding Leadership in Industry

Outstanding forest products trucking operator

Outstanding Contributions to Forest Industry Education

Outstanding Use of Wood

Outstanding Contribution to Safety

MAINE FOREST SERVICE ANNOUNCES A 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

Save The Date!

PLC Annual Meeting May 9-10, 2024

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

Maine Agricultural Trades Show – Augusta

DATE: January 9, 2024 – January 11, 2024

LOCATION: Augusta Civic Center

The State of Maine Agricultural Trades Show is an important gathering for Maine agriculture. The annual event features exhibits, conference sessions, and the Listening Post, which offers daily meet and greets at 9 AM, 12PM, and 2 PM, and free business advising appointments. The show opens to the public daily at 9 AM. There is no admission fee – some sessions may require pre-registration and course fees.

View schedules, maps, participant directory, and subscribe to show news

NOTE: The Forestry Forum will be on Wednesday, January 10, 2024. A day of information and community building for Maine woodland owners and forest stewards.

CONTACT NAME: Anne Trenholm

CONTACT PHONE: (207) 287-7620

CONTACT EMAIL: acfagtradesshow@maine.gov

COST: Free Admission

MBTA Calendar of Events 2024

The Maine Better Transportation Association save the dates for their 2024 events: MBTA 2024 Calendar.

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

SafetyWorks!

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

Upcoming classes:

How to Conduct a Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Assessment –

January 9, 2024 / 8:30 AM – 12:30 PM / SafetyWorks! Training Institute, 45 Commerce Drive, Augusta

This half-day course is designed to assist you in developing a PPE assessment 1910.132(d). Employers must conduct a hazard assessment prior to requiring employees to use PPE. The assessment provides information needed to select the appropriate PPE for the hazards at the workplace. Learn how to conduct a hazard assessment in this hands-on class.

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!