I am glad that the Department of Commerce has issued a preliminary ruling recognizing the damage caused by Canadian subsidizes of lumber.(Senator Snowe’s Weekly Senate Update September 10-14) . But it is not enough. Preliminary rulings are only a first step in what could be a long process. With lumber prices dropping 33 percent in the past year and with the same percent of lumber coming from Canada, we need faster action. The Canadian subsidies are well documented, as are their harmful affects on US companies. I applaud Senator Snowe and others who have sent a letter to Canadian authorities, but it is not enough. I believe we need to impose significant countervailing duties now to protect our lumber mills. Then the studies and the investigations can continue.

This is not a new issue for me. For the last few years, I have heard from many of the citizens in my district about this. I have often spoken Senator Snowe regarding this important issue. I hope many others will do the same.I encourage you to ask Senator Snowe to press this issue.