NEWS

The EPA informed us that composite wood products like hardwood plywood, particleboard, and MDF will be included in the formaldehyde draft risk assessment in early 2024—even though these products are already regulated under TSCA Title VI for formaldehyde emissions. Recent activity by EPA, including its recently-resurrected IRIS Toxicological Review, suggests the risk assessment will drive more restrictions on formaldehyde emissions.

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The U.S. Forest Service recently hosted an engagement session about how it intends to identify, inventory, and protect mature and old-growth forests. Wildfires have destroyed 2.6 million acres of mature forest and nearly 700,000 acres of old growth since 2000. Timber harvest occurred in 214,000 acres of mature forest and 10,000 acres of old growth. The agency will be developing policies on protecting mature and old-growth forests in the coming months.

The U.S. Forest Service recently hosted an engagement session about how it intends to identify, inventory, and protect mature and old-growth forests. The highlights: wildfires have destroyed 2.6 million acres of mature forest and nearly 700,000 acres of old growth since 2000. Timber harvest occurred in 214,000 acres of mature forest and 10,000 acres of old growth. The agency will be developing policies on protecting mature and old-growth forests in the coming months.

Small businesses, with the support of the Hardwood Federation, are pushing hard to delay the implementation of the Corporate Transparency Act. This poorly communicated federal law will take effect at the beginning of 2024. The problem is that failing to meet the law's numerous new reporting requirements could result in harsh financial and criminal penalties for small businesses, most of whom are not aware that the requirements exist.

The U.S. House of Representatives passed a continuing resolution that included a one-year extension of the farm bill, a multiyear law that covers a wide range of agricultural programs. The action broke a legislative impasse on a bill that is particularly important to the hardwood industry. DHA and the Hardwood Federation will continue to advocate for the top priorities of the hardwood industry in a longer-term farm bill.

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