The Hardwood Federation produces a “D.C. Cheat Sheet” publication to maintain the business up-to-date on the newest information from Washington D.C. Try the September eighth version under and join to obtain your copy right now.
USTR Extends China Tariffs Pending Extra Evaluate
On September 2, the US Commerce Consultant (USTR) introduced that Part 301 tariffs on China would proceed, pending additional assessment of the commerce sanctions, which cowl varied sorts of flooring, plywood and mouldings. In Could 2022, USTR kicked off the statutory four-year course of to assessment China tariffs by notifying business reps of the attainable termination of the tariffs and alternative for business to request continuation. As a result of USTR obtained greater than 400 requests for continuation, the tariff actions haven’t terminated. USTR will present particulars on the subsequent steps within the four-year assessment course of in subsequent notices.
Congress to Wrestle with Fast Repair Funding, Vitality Venture Want-Record
Starting Monday, September 13, each chambers of Congress might be in Washington for a compressed legislative session to sort out Fiscal Yr (FY) 2023 spending payments that may fund the federal authorities past September 30, the expiration date of the present fiscal yr. Due to the slim window, Congress might be compelled as soon as once more to maneuver a short-term spending invoice, often called a “Persevering with Decision” (CR), to fund federal companies past September 30 and thru December 16, effectively past the November 8 election. Sadly, this fast repair might confront some roadblocks, together with a so-called “rider” that may ship some regulatory flexibility for vitality tasks, together with reforms to the Nationwide Environmental Coverage Act (NEPA) evaluations and fixes to the Clear Water Act allowing, as promised to Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV) in alternate for his help for the “Inflation Discount Act” handed in August. Textual content for the allowing rider might be accessible as early as this week.
USDA’s Subsequent Steps on “Previous Development Forests”
As reported earlier, on July 15, 2022, the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) and Bureau of Land Administration collectively printed a Federal Register discover searching for public enter on a “common definition framework” for old-growth forests on federal land, setting the stage for a list for previous progress and attainable new restrictions on sustainable forestry. On August 30, the Hardwood Federation submitted feedback on the proposal, outlining key arguments opposing a uniform definition, thereby making a framework that may be unworkable. Though it’s unclear when the USFS will share particulars associated to a brand new framework, the USFS knowledgeable business reps in August that they hoped to share a last definition earlier than they pivot to the stock section, seemingly no later than April 2023, based mostly on the outlines of a associated Government Order.
Supply: Hardwood Federation