ALASKA—The Alaska Division of Forestry and Forest Service Alaska Region are working together to create change in the local lumber market.

A new program being developed in Alaska will provide training and education that will allow small sawmills to self-certify their lumber. The Local Use Lumber Program trains sawmill operators to grade their lumber.

This effort is expected to increase the marketability of second-growth forest products produced in-state, lower home-building costs and stimulate rural economies.

Currently, most local sawmills are unable to afford membership with accredited grading agencies, restricting the available lumber markets for smaller mill owners. It also means construction materials are imported from Canada or the lower 48.

Regional Wood Utilization Coordinator Dr. Priscilla Morris is working in partnership with the National Wood Innovations Team, Forest Products Lab, and the state of Alaska to develop this program. It is modeled after a program in Wisconsin and should help to mitigate some of the restrictions facing small sawmills.

“To see local solutions being developed between forest product and financial partners is an incredible thing,” said Morris. “We all recognize the need and the value of coming together to accomplish a mutual goal. This program will influence local economies through the entire supply chain and keep the product and investment close to home.”

Later this year, Alaska Division of Forestry’s Jeremy Douse will travel to Wisconsin to meet with program managers from the state Department of Natural Resources and the Forest Products Lab. Both organizations played major roles in Wisconsin’s Local Use Lumber Program and will help write the Local Use Lumber Grade Book for Alaskan tree species.