Why Join MAT?
Link to on-line Application Form Our Mission
To represent small businesses in Michigan's forest products Industry since 1972 in order to reduce their costs and increase their profits.
Legislative Program 100% tax exemption for wood harvesting equipment
1) Sale and Use Tax Exemption
2) Personal Property Tax Emerald Ash Borer
1) Working with Michigan Department of Agriculture on EAB Quarantine Regulations
2) Tax credit for trees lost Crib trailer Bill - No securement needed for complete "cribbed" trailers Log Plate Bill - Save $1000’s per truck Diesel Fuel Tax - Truck that do not leave the State of Michigan no longer need a fuel sticker or to file the quarterly reports Right to Forest - Protects us from annoying nuisance lawsuits as long as sustainable forestry practices are being followed. Example: such as complaints about visual changes because of removing trees, noise from forestry equipment, and use of chemicals normally used in forestry operations, etc. This also allows a successful Defendant to recover from the Plaintiff actual costs incurred in the defense, including attorney fees. - Michigan Healthy Forest Initiative (4 bills)
1) Requires a state forest management plan
2) Requires third party certification on state lands (DNR)
3) Revises the Michigan Forest Finance Authority
4) Creates 4 pilot projects for forest management on state landMI Forestry Package
1) Revises the Commercial Forest Act
2) Addresses Factor Limited Acres on DNR Forest
3) Provides an 18 mill property tax exemption on qualified managed private forest
4) Creation of Forest Renaissance Zones, providing tax abatements for new forest industry
Current work includes - Monitoring transportation issues
1) Working to preserve the 164,000 weight limit for trucks
2) Amendments to log plate
3) Rail Issues
4) Removal of securement requirements on crib trailers Alternative Energy and Fuels
1) Modifying current legislation to include woody biomass as a feed stock for alternative uses Continued protection of the dust and silicosis fund DNR Issues
1) Helping to change the “No Bid” sales procedures
2) Assisting in modifying how Minimum Bids are established
3) Help to establish free extensions in times of drastic market changes US Forest Service
1) Granted Intervener Status for 9 appeals on Michigan National Forest
2) Host meetings with forest service staff and forest industry to discuss issues
3) Working to get more financial funding for Michigan’s forest to implement forest management Master Logger Certification
1) Third party certification of your logging company
2) Documentation and proof of your companies professionalism
3) Increased marketing opportunities Markets Working to create alternative wood markets Working to establish a Logger Cooperative to create a sustainable market alternative Keeping You Informed We strive to keep you informed of what is happening in the Industry and what we as a group need to do to protect our futures. If we are not proactive in our Industry who will be? We publish several pieces of material to help keep you in touch with what is happening.
-The MAT newsletter, Timber Talk; MI Forestry Directory & the MI Forestry Magazine
- Action alerts through Broadcast fax or email
- MAT webpage www.timbermen.org
- Educational Seminars
- Grass root meetings throughout the state to find out what is affecting you locally
- Large library of books and video at no cost
Maintain Relationships
Involvement and a presence are needed in all aspects of government, whether it is local, state or federal. Part of this is through legislative tours. It is also vital that our Industry maintain relationships with others such as:
- County road commissions
- Motor carriers (safety issues)
- MDOT
- Michigan Department of Agriculture
- Representation on the Forest Finance Authority
- Representation on the Forest Management Advisory Council
- Teachers
- Other forestry related groups
Benefits of Membership
Insurance - Forest Insurance Center Agency & Mauck Insurance Agency are wholly owned subsidiaries of MAT and specialize in insurance for those in the industry offering all lines including commercial, personal, work comp, life, liability, etc.
Blue Cross/Blue Shield coverage is available through Forest Insurance Employee Benefits Division, to members of MAT along with many other employee benefit programs.
MATSIF is Michigan's first Self Insured Fund and offers a broad range of benefits including excellent rates and a safety program.
Jess Birtcher Scholarship Fund offering scholarships up to $1000 each year to students in the families of our members and our member’s employees.
National Representation
American Logger Council (ALC) represents the loggers and our issues in Washington DC. MAT works closely with the ALC on Michigan issues that need to be addressed on a national level.
Link to on-line Application Form |
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