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Hupp, Millan[hupp.millan@epa.gov] Chuck Leaveii Mon 7/17/2017 12:48:50 PM Re: Following up from Administrator Pruitt's visit
Hi Millian, and thanks for the contact. Well, I know you guys have been in a whirlwind...but it was actually Georgia (not Alabama), and Sec. Perdue's (not Sen. Strange) "homecoming" at Earl and Wanda Barr's place that we met. We appreciated Administrator Pruitt taking the time to come down and share his thoughts with us Tree Farmers. While I do support some of the rollbacks of regulations that were discussed, I certainly hope he will be mindful of making sure we all have clean air, water and a healthy environment during his tenure and that some of the important regulations that assure that will remain in place. Given the present state of affairs in Washington, it would, in my opinion, be helpful for any of our leaders to start trying to reach out to "the other side" and as both Sec Perdue and Admin. Pruitt mentioned at our meeting, to be "good listeners". I hope and trust that will be the case!
There is one thing that I would like Admin. Pruitt to be aware of...it is not really in his department, but more in the Dept, of Commerce. Still, I think it is important for him to know about. That is, throughout the Southeast over the past few years, several Canadian companies have purchased a number of sawmills...to the point that they have a boarder-line monopoly on our raw material. In normal timber markets, we see our stumpage prices following the curves of finished lumber. That is fine, and we have no problem with that. However, we have data showing that in recent years during times when finished lumber prices have risen, our stumpage prices have stayed low and very much below the curve of lumber. In Georgia, the Interior company has bought up all but one mill in our Middle Georgia region, and that mill is now for sale and Interior is looking at it. Should they buy that mill, they will truly have a strong monopoly on the timber market...no competition. In Alabama, there is a similar situation with Camfor, another Canadian company. In Mississippi, Louisiana and Arkansas, the same thing is happening. Again, I know this is not in the realm of EPA, but I think it is important for Admin. Pruitt, Sec Perdue and other gov't agencies in addition to Sec. Ross and Sec. Acosta to be aware of.
Thanks, Millian...I will soon embark on another Rolling Stones tour that will take me to Europe through the end of Oct. At some point after my return, I
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hope to have a small group of Forest Landowners to visit Sec. Perdue to discuss this and other issues further. Perhaps we could visit Admin. Pruitt during that time. I will keep you apprised of those plans as they develop. Cheers and all the best, Chuck
Chuck Leavell 665 Charlane Dr. Dry Branch, Ga. 31020 Office: 478 9453772
www.mnn.com
From: "Hupp, Millan" <hupp.millan@epa.gov> Date: Wednesday, July 12, 2017 at 7:00 AM To: Chuck Leavell <cltreeman@charlane.com> Subject: Following up from Administrator Pruitt's visit
Mr. Leavell,
It was such a pleasure to meet your wife and yourself in Alabama during Administrator Pruitt and Senator Strange's visit last week. We met briefly as the Administrator was headed out when he turned to me and asked that I follow up with you. I am ashamed to admit that I am unaware as to specifically what it was on which he was hopeful I could connect with you but nevertheless wanted to establish the lines of communication.
Kindly let me know if I can in any way be of assistance to you.
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Warm regards,
Millan Hupp Office of the Administrator - Advance Cell: 202.380.7561 Email: hupp.millan@epa.gov
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