NEWS

Just how old is Smokey Bear this year?

Answer: Smokey Bear will be 80 years old this year.

PHOTO © USFS

Read more: Smokey Bear → | Smokey Bear Art Coming To Forest Heritage Center Museum →

Virginia Tech researchers, working to help restore the American chestnut tree in collaboration with the American Chestnut Foundation, studied the genome of collected samples and determined that the trees actively adapt to the climate and environmental conditions of their area to survive. The research, published by the National Academy of Sciences, could help restore the American chestnut population.

PHOTO © AMERICAN CHESTNUT FOUNDATION

The U.S. Department of Commerce chose to make no changes to the preliminary determinations on antidumping and countervailing duties on imports of wooden cabinets from China that were further processed in Malaysia and Vietnam. The department will also impose a new certification process that requires importers and exporters to certify that each shipment from Malaysia and Vietnam does not contain cabinet components from China.

The U.S. government has published its Semi-Annual Regulatory Agenda for Spring 2024. The document is a preview of upcoming regulatory actions that will impact manufacturers and other businesses. Expect a proposed rule from USDA on climate-resilient forests in early 2025.

Read more: The 2024 Spring Regulatory Agenda →

Surface & Panel Magazine asked DHA to provide insights on the EPA draft risk evaluation of formaldehyde to inform their readers. DHA's article spells out the implications for final users of wood panels. In their evaluation, EPA concluded that "in this preliminary determination, EPA is finding the conditions of use related to exposure in residences from wood articles does not contribute to the unreasonable risk of formaldehyde."

PHOTO © TIMBER PRODUCTS