Summer 2018

I N D U S T R Y N E W S www.wvfa.org Summer 2018 |  West Virginia Forestry Association Mountain State Forestry 11 removing the surcharge on all West Virginia businesses effective Dec. 31, 2018. This landmark legislation should result in more affordable workers’ compensation rates that will provide coverage to a forest products industry that has virtually been denied insurance for years. Although this significant reduction in workers’ compensation costs is a step in the right direction, it still does not go far enough to retain or attract logging companies. We must do more to assure that West Virginia is competitive with the same or similar rates available in other states. While working with forest industry leaders, it was made known to me that the Heartland Intermodal Gateway Yard at Pritchard, West Virginia, was being underutilized. Working with a freight forwarder, I secured validation of Heartland Intermodal Gateway as a viable inland port. It is imperative that we continue to work with all relevant parties to provide 40-foot containers at an affordable rate not only for the forest products industry but for all West Virginia businesses with export needs. The ability to get our products to market more quickly and efficiently is crucial to growing our economy and creating jobs; therefore, I am committed to continuing to work on this initiative until the Heartland Intermodal Gateway Yard is functioning at its maximum potential to support West Virginia’s import and export needs. The first 40-foot container is expected to arrive in early May. Although we have made great strides in improving the operations of the Division, there is still room for improvement. I expect the next year to bring continued advancements regarding employee morale and working conditions; a full implementation of a sound silvicultural management practice on state properties; improved public awareness; and continued development of a working relationship with both industry leaders and other agencies responsible for similar outcomes. Additionally, you can expect improvements in managing and documenting logging operations through a new innovative drone program; the creation of a Special Operations Unit designed to protect our forestlands from destruction and assist landowners regarding timber theft; and a significant review and development of necessary agency policies geared toward promoting safety and protecting our state’s natural resources and assets. In closing, I would be remiss if I didn’t take this opportunity to thank the hard-working, dedicated employees of the Division for their acceptance, guidance and support over the past year. I am very excited about how far we have come but I am even more excited about where we are headed in the second year. I can’t image that any of our recent accomplishments would have been possible without you. 