The proposed Douglas-fir National Monument is once again up for discussion, after lying dormant during the Trump administration. The monument would sit mostly on the Willamette National Forest in the Cascade foothills.
Wood Markets News
Mortgage Credit Availability Declines for Fifth Consecutive Month in July, Reaching Its Lowest Level Since May 2013
According to the Mortgage Bankers Association’s Mortgage Credit Availability Index (MCAI) report mortgage credit availability declined for the fifth consecutive month in July. The MCAI dropped 9.0% to a reading of 108.8.
Sterling Structural’s TerraLam® Receives PRG 320-2019 Certification
Sterling Structural announced today that its CLT line, which is sold under the TerraLam® trade name, has been certified to the PRG 320-2019 (PRG 320) performance standard by the International Code Council – Evaluation Service (ICC-ES).
The NFIB’s Small Business Optimism Index Rose Modestly in July
The National Federation of Independent Business reported today their NFIB Small Business Optimism Index (SBOI). The July SBOI increased 0.4 points to a reading of 89.9; however, it is the sixth consecutive month that the SBOI has been below the 48-year average reading of 98.
Australia’s Consumer Confidence Declines for Tenth Consecutive Month in August
Australia’s Westbank Corp., in a survey of 1,200 respondents released on Tuesday, reveals that Australia’s consumer sentiment continues to fall as surging inflation and interest rates increase, coupled with declining home values all weigh on the outlook for householders.
Fannie Mae Home Purchase Sentiment Index® at Lowest Level in a Decade
Fannie Mae today released its Home Purchase Sentiment Index® for July. The HPSI dropped 2.0 points to a reading of 62.8, its lowest level since 2011 and well below the all-time high that was set in 2019. Only 17% of respondents in the survey thought it was a good time to buy a home.
Michigan to Sell First Forest Carbon Market Credits From State-Owned Forestland
The State of Michigan has approximately 4 million acres of state-owned forestland. That is more than any other state in the US. These forestlands and their trees are now at the center of a new industry: forest carbon markets.
Australia’s Major City Skylines Could Soon Feature 50-Story Mass Timber Skyscrapers
In an effort to decarbonize and revitalize urban construction, Australia’s skylines may soon feature timber skyscrapers up to 50-stories tall. The proposed timber skyscraper buildings are made possible by using a hybrid construction and engineered mass timber around a concrete core.
Canadian Unemployment Edges Higher; Unemployment Rate Holds Steady in July 2022
Statistics Canada reported Canadian employment and unemployment statistics for July. Unemployment in July decreased by 31,000, and compared to May it was down 74,000, or 0.4%. The number private sector employees was little changed. From May 2021 to May 2022, employment had increased by 1,056,000, or 5.7%.
US National Interagency Fire Center Wildfire Update for August 8, 2022: 2 New Wildfires Reported
The US National Interagency Fire Center reported on Monday that the total number of large wildfires and complexes currently burning in the US has grown to 69, with more than 1.690,492 acres across 15 different states currently burning. Two large new wildfires have been reported within the past 24 hours.