NWFA Heads to Capitol Hill for Hardwood Federation Fly-In

The National Wood Flooring Association board of directors held its semiannual meeting in conjunction with the Hardwood Federation's Fly-In this week. The Hardwood Federation, of which the NWFA is a part, works to advocate for the interests of the hardwood industry on Capitol Hill in Washington D.C., and during its annual Fly-In, members of the industry meet with members of Congress to discuss issues of importance to the hardwood industry.

This year was the largest Hardwood Federation Fly-In yet: There were 65 participants, and small groups made more than 70 visits to offices on the Hill. In addition to the Hill visits, Robert Bonnie, who in August was sworn in as Under Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment in the Department of Agriculture, spoke on Wednesday, emphasizing the message that "we need to get more work done in the woods" and expressing frustration that the money spent on fighting fires in the national forests now consumes a large part of a budget that would otherwise be spent on forest management.

USDA Under Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment Robert Bonnie.

Other speakers during the event included Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Rep. Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.V.), Rep. Renee Ellmers (R- N.C.), Sen. Thad Cochran (R-Miss.), Sen. Joe Donnelly (D-Ind.), Sen. Mark Pryor (D-Ark.), and Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.).

On the right, Senator Thad Cochran (R-Miss.).

Don Finkell, president of the Hardwood Federation, who retired earlier this year as CEO of Shaw's hardwood business and Anderson Hardwood Floors, said he was encouraged by the degree of bipartisan language he heard from both parties. "We met with and heard from several members of both parties and both houses. There was talk from all sides that gave me hope that Congress finally realizes it is time to come together, compromise and get things done," he said. "This is different from the general tone I have heard in the past."

Hardwood Federation Executive Director Dana Lee Cole called the Fly-In a "great success." "Having so many leaders from the industry visiting so many congressional offices at the same time carries the strong message that the hardwood industry is alive and well, positively impacting our nation's economy," she said. "The strong participation from the National Wood Flooring Association was a tremendous asset, and I hope many of the first-time participants return to Washington in the near future."

This year there were three key issues that participants discussed on the Hill:

1 - Passing a version of the Farm Bill that includes funding for the American Hardwood Export Council (AHEC), includes language declaring forest roads as non-point sources of pollution, and amends the USDA's Bio-Preferred Voluntary Labeling Program to include wood products.2 - Supporting the Shaheen Portman Energy Efficiency Bill, including a provision that provides the federal government with more options for achieving building energy efficiency objectives.3 - Asking individual representatives and senators, in their meetings or discussions with EPA officials, to make the case for a carbon-neutral designation for biomass.

To see a video of NWFA BOD member and HF Contractor Blogger Avi Hadad and Cole at the Fly-In, click here. More photos of the Fly-In are posted on the Hardwood Floors Facebook page here.