Arizona Log and Timberworks Ribbon-Cutting

Good afternoon!

It is wonderful to be here as we celebrate this project -- a project that is SO right, for SO many reasons -- including being right for RURAL Arizona.

It's creating both construction jobs to retool the mill AND additional jobs AT the mill.

It's also good for our forests.

The thinning of small diameter trees helps improve our forests' health and create jobs. And … the small diameter trees can be used as guard rails to make our roads safe.

This project is a jobs winner all the way around.

I was pleased to write a letter in support of the grant to allow the mill to retool.

And in that letter to the chief of the U.S. Forest Service I noted, "Our forests are a tremendously important part of Arizona's heritage and accelerating forest restoration, safeguarding communities, and creating a sustainable, restoration-based forest economy are high priority goals for my administration."

I know the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Highway Administration has approved the wooden guardrail system for use and that ADOT is interested in evaluating the system. I encourage you to work with ADOT to gain approval.

I just came from a meeting of my Forest Health Council.

They gave me an update on the Four Forests Restoration Initiative, and what a great collaborative effort that is.

The federal government needs to take its stewardship seriously and fund these types of efforts to keep our forests healthy and our communities safe.

Fortunately, so far, this summer has been a MILD wildfire season, but it REMAINS the season of fires.

If our federal government would only take their role of stewardship seriously, our forests could be healthy.

But, at the state level, we continue to try make a difference.
And, here at Arizona Log and Timberworks -- this ribbon-cutting PROVES you ARE making a difference.

Thank you all for your efforts. God Bless you and your families, and God bless the great forests of Arizona.

Thank you.

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