Timber bill would pay to help retool Southeast industry

Ketchikan sawmill owner Steve Seley has no more faith in old-growth timber. "I can guarantee you we're not going to invest in any more old-growth equipment," he said. These are the environmentally friendly timber catch phrases on the Tongass: "Second growth." "Value added." "High value added."

$40 million to support regional logging, road construction companies

Ketchikan sawmill owner Steve Seley has no more faith in old-growth timber.

"I can guarantee you we're not going to invest in any more old-growth equipment," he said.

These are the environmentally friendly timber catch phrases on the Tongass: "Second growth." "Value added." "High value added."

These are apparently the way to a sustainable timber industry and to conservationists' hearts. Timber companies in Southeast Alaska say they're all for younger, smaller logs and making fancier wood products or biofuels. But getting there takes new equipment and new skills. And money.

Get the complete story at the Juneau Empire.