GLTPA Applauds Unanimous Legislative Support of Senate Bill 322

February 21, 2012
Contact: Henry Schienebeck (715) 282-5828

Rhinelander, WI- The Great Lakes Timber Professionals Association (GLTPA) thanks members of the State Senate and Assembly for their quick action in passing Senate Bill 322 (SB 322), relating to overweight permits for vehicles transporting raw forest products. The GLTPA especially wants to recognize the authors, Representatives Jerry Petrowski (R-Marathon) and Jeff Mursau (R-Crivitz) and Senators Pam Galloway (R-Wausau) and Jim Holperin (D-Conover). SB 322 passed both the Senate and Assembly unanimously and is now headed to Governor Scott Walker’s desk.

“2005 Act 167 has been very beneficial for the forest products industry and the state of Wisconsin,” stated Henry Schienebeck, Executive Director of the GLTPA. “The 98,000 pound permit has lowered the axle weight on roads, created a higher fine structure for violators, given law enforcement more tools to enforce weight violations, increased safety by lessening the number of trucks on the road and by increasing the braking power of the trucks and has made our industry more competitive with our neighboring states.”

During the end of the frozen road declaration in 2011, RS permits were pulled in direct contradiction to the legislative intent of 2005 Act 167. The GLTPA appreciated the quick response of Governor Walker’s Administration and the leadership at the Wisconsin Department of Transportation to work with law enforcement and local units of government, so the flow of raw forest products to mills was not interrupted, until this legislative fix could be adopted. 2011 SB 322 will ensure that the RS permit will remain a year-round permit as it was originally intended.

The GLTPA has been proudly representing the Forest Products Industry in Wisconsin and Michigan for over 65 years. Our members include loggers, truckers, sawmills, paper manufacturers, private and commercial forest landowners, forestry professionals and outdoor recreational enthusiasts. Our purpose is to practice, promote, and enhance the forest products industry through public education, professional training and sustainable forestry practices to protect the forests’ renewable resources for generations to come.