But, Closer To Home…

"Fire season 2021 is looking grim," said California's only wildfire research center on Twitter. The researchers' concern is the low level of fuel-moisture content, the statistic that measures the ratio of moisture to flammable material in plants, trees, and shrubs. Last year's wildfire season broke records: there were 9,639 fires across the state, burning nearly 4.4 million acres over 4% of the state's area.

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Tariffs Double On Canadian Lumber

Lumber firms support the U.S. Department of Commerce's plan to double tariff rates on most Canadian softwood timber. That plan has angered home builders. While the new rates vary by company, expect overall increases of 9% to 18.32%.

 

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Regulation Is $93,870 Of A New Home's Price

A new NAHB study shows that regulations imposed by the government across all levels now account for $93,870 of the final price of a new single-family home. $41,330 is due to the higher price for the finished lot, based on regulations imposed during the development of the lot. $52,540 is the regulatory cost imposed on the builder during construction.

 

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Guitar Industry Struggles With Hidden Environmental Issues

The guitar-making industry prizes rare woods from old-growth trees for their acoustic properties. But, using this wood has meant entanglements in scandals over illegal logging, resource scarcity, and conflicts with new regulations that restrict the trade of endangered species of trees. Many rare woods come from areas with legacies of environmental conflict, colonial violence, and dispossession.

 

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Wood Quiz: Test Your Knowledge

Question: Which species of tree is the nickname for two different U.S. presidents? Bonus: Name both presidents.

 

Answer: The hickory tree. Andrew Jackson was referred to as "Old Hickory" and James Polk, "Young Hickory."
 

 

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