The softwood R&P program operates as the Softwood Lumber Board. The Board is funded by an assessment on domestic manufacturers and importers of softwood lumber and is administered by the Board with oversight from AMS. The current assessment rate is 41 cents ($0.41) per thousand board feet.
The assessments are used to promote softwood lumber within the United States. The Board reimburses AMS and USDA’s Office of General Counsel for incurred costs and program oversight.
Entities that domestically ship or import less than 15 million board feet are exempt, along with shipments exported outside of the United States. Assessed entities do not pay assessments on the first 15 million board feet shipped or imported.
In 2011, AMS issued the Softwood Lumber Research, Promotion, Consumer Education and Industry Information Order which created the program under the authority of the Commodity Promotion, Research and Information Act of 1996 (pdf).
Organizational Structure
The Softwood Lumber Board is composed of 15 members appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture. Of the 15 members, 10 are domestic manufacturers, four are importers, and one represents the public. The 10 domestic seats are allocated between three geographic regions within the United States – the U.S. South (5), the U.S. West (4), and the Northeast and Lake States (1). Of the four importer seats, two members must import softwood lumber from Canada West, and one must import from Canada East. Seats are also allocated within each region by size of operation. The Board’s composition may change periodically to reflect geographic shifts in volume.
The Board’s mailing address is in Chicago, Illinois. You can access a list of current Board members and alternates on the Softwood Lumber Board Roster.
Visit the Softwood Lumber Board's website
Organic Assessment Exemption
Producers and marketers of organic products may be exempt from the program's assessment for the organic portion of their shipments.
Additional Information
Contacts
Director: Michelle Sharrow
Email: Michelle.Sharrow@usda.gov
Phone: (202) 720-8085
Branch Chief: Alexandra Caryl
Email: Alexandra.Caryl@usda.gov
Phone: (202) 720-8085