From staff reports
The Allegheny National Forest is offering to extend contract deadlines on certain timber sales, stewardship contracts and forest product permits awarded or issued before April 1.
Extending these deadlines supports the long-term viability of the timber industry in markets where conditions have been significantly disrupted, especially in rural, forest-dependent communities, according to a press release from the Forest.
This decision is based on a combination of factors that have affected the national economy and the timber market, including the global COVID-19 pandemic, the press release said.
Individual purchasers of the timber sales contracts may request extensions up to two years in the lower 48 states and up to three years in Alaska or continue to work to meet their obligations.
For further information, people can contact Forest Service representative Mike Williams at (814) 728-6189 or at mike.s.williams@usda.gov; or contracting officer David Cotterman at (814) 728-6183 or at david.cotterman@usda.gov.