PRESS RELEASE from Potlatch Corporation
Northern and central Minnesota private woodland owners may now call upon Potlatch Corporation (NYSE:PCH), the state's largest private forestland owner, to help maximize income and realize the full potential of their forestlands.
Potlatch is sharing its forest management expertise through a new Private Forest Management (PFM) program designed to help qualified forest landowners achieve goals for their land ranging from enhanced recreational opportunities to increased productivity and income from timber sales. Tom Murn, Potlatch's Regional Resource Manager in Cloquet, noted that the company's PFM foresters are located at offices in Park Rapids, Brainerd and Cook and can draw on the expertise of other professionals in the company to help woodland owners develop management plans, conduct harvesting activities, reforest their land or enhance wildlife habitat. He added that Potlatch's PFM program staff includes a business analyst, a wildlife biologist, a computerized mapping specialist and a real estate professional.
Potlatch, which has been managing its forestlands for more than 100 years, is Minnesota's largest forest landowner and a recognized national leader in natural resource management. Potlatch's extensive experience qualifies the company to provide consulting services to landowners, Murn said, emphasizing that the PFM program's philosophy is to help landowners manage their forests for their personal benefit while protecting their resources for future generations.
Murn explained that both Potlatch and the landowner derive benefits from the PFM program. "Private landowners receive professional management advice, timber sale layout and design, income and expert management of logging operations. Potlatch earns a return from marketing the timber," he said. If Potlatch timber marketing services are not involved, the company charges a per-acre management planning service fee. "Potlatch PFM foresters can also advise landowners on enrolling their lands in the American Tree Farm System and other widely available programs that often can save landowners money. A good example, Murn noted, is Minnesota's Sustainable Forest Incentive Act, a state program that pays landowners for developing stewardship plans for their forestland.
Murn commented that woodland owners may qualify for PFM assistance if they own 40 or more acres and have a clear objective for their land. "Local landowners often ask us for advice, knowing Potlatch is committed to sustainably managing its forests and has demonstrated a commitment to stewardship through third-party certifications under the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) and International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 14001. "We created the Private Forest Management program to provide a structured method for conveying our experience and knowledge to help woodland owners increase their property value and income while managing their land in a sustainable manner," he concluded.
More information about Potlatch's Private Forest Management program can be found on the company's website (www.pchpfm.com) or by calling 218-879-0403.
Potlatch is a diversified forest products company with timberlands in Arkansas, Idaho and Minnesota.
This news release contains, in addition to historical information, certain forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based on management's best estimates and assumptions regarding future events, and are therefore subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties and are not guarantees of future performance. The company's actual results could differ materially from those expressed or implied by forward-looking statements. The company disclaims any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements.
