Advisory Committee on Chip Mills

Governor's Advisory Committee on Chip Mills

Department of Conservation

Meeting Minutes
November 1998
January 1999
February 1999
March 1999
April 1999
May 1999
June 1999 Public Comment
July 1999
August 1999
September 1999
October 1999
November 1, 1999
November 2, 1999
January 24, 2000
March 6, 2000
April 10, 2000
May 17, 2000
June 20, 2000

The Governor's Advisory Committee on Chip Mills completed its study on the impact of chip mills and associated forest-harvesting practices, and issued its Final Report (August 1, 2000). The committee held its final meeting on July 31 and debated several conclusive issues at that time. The Final Report along with public comments was delivered to Governor Mel Carnahan on August 31.

The final Report can be accessed from this Web page.

Historical Information:
Governor Mel Carnahan issued Executive Order No. 98-16 in September 1998 thereby establishing the Advisory Committee on Chip Mills. Chip mills are facilities that contain machinery designed to turn trees (whole trees or parts of trees) into chips for paper, particle-boards, and exports.

The committee is responsible for initiating a study to identify the impact of chip mills and the associated forest harvesting practices. The committee will analyze the experiences of other regions in the United States and study the impact of chip mills on Missouri's environment, natural resources and economy.

Previously, the committee was tasked to submit its final study, including recommended reforms, to the Governor by Dec. 1, 1999.

The committee requested, and was granted by the Governor, a two-month extension of the committee's authority and to submit its final study to the Governor on Feb. 1, 2000 (Executive Order 99-11). The extension was requested to place the draft report on public notice and to receive comments for consideration.

Governor Mel Carnahan continued the operation of his Advisory Committee by Executive Order 00-01 issued Jan. 20, 2000. The Governor directed the Advisory Committee to carefully and thoroughly examine and review the Missouri Department of Conservation's "Draft Report on the Chip Mill Issue." The examination and review are to include a public hearing.

Members of the committee are:

David E. Bedan, Columbia	Sen. Doyle Childers, Reeds Springs
David A. Day, Dixon	Rep. Jerry McBride, Edgar Springs
Jon D. Smith, Mountain View	Rep. Bill Foster, Poplar Bluff
Mark S. Garnett, West Plains	Steve Mahfood, Director, Department of Natural Resources (Co-Chair)
Emily R. Firebaugh, Farmington	Jerry Conley, Director, Department of Conservation (Co-Chair)
Jay R. Law, St. James	Joseph L. Driskill, Director, Department of Economic Development
Sen. Wayne Goode, St. Louis	John L. Sanders, Director, Department of Agriculture