FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, June 19, 2003, Albany, NY – Yesterday afternoon the NYS Senate passed a bill addressing the availability of a 1/10th mile section of Route 37 from the Ogdensburg bridge into the neighboring Industrial Park. This is an important measure that is necessary to help secure the $170 million investment and creation of 130 new jobs by the planned OSB or Oriented Strand Board facility.

State Senator James W. Wright and Assemblyman Darrel J. Aubertine introduced the bill last week (S 5548/A 9042) at the request of the Association and the project developer, John Godfrey of Chatham Forest Products. "This measure addresses a important issue and helps bring this project one-step closer to fruition," said Godfrey.

The facility is expected to provide indirect employment and economic opportunities for over 400 loggers, farmers and area forest owners. "On behalf of hundreds of loggers and their families who are struggling to make ends meet, we are very appreciative of Senator Wright and Assemblyman Aubertine’s efforts to secure this important investment," said Kevin S. King, ESFPA’s Executive Vice President.

Jerry Reed, owner and operator of J.L. Reed Trucking, Inc. in Carthage, is looking forward to the opportunities. "We usually run four log trucks and I just had to sell one to keep going. This facility will be an important shot in the arm for my business and a great benefit to the area," he notes.

The Senate has also passed legislation (A 677/S 2974) to increase the availability of permits needed for area log trucks and recognize the importance of trade with Canada by allowing a new class of vehicles that are closely aligned to what is typical on trucks operating on both sides of the border. These transportation issues are critical for our loggers and the forest products industry as a whole to remain competitive in the face of global competition.

"The lack of availability of these permits has meant several lost business opportunities," said Pat Curran with Seaway Logging in Massena, NY. "We need these permits and the new 7-axle configuration to stay competitive."

"With the final day of this legislative session, we are looking forward to the Assembly’s action on these critical issues," said King.

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