Latest news with #MaineForestService
Yahoo
04-08-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Maine's forest product industry feeling the effects of Trump's tariffs on Canada
Maine imports 2.3 million tons of wood products annually, most of which comes from Canada, according to a 2025 report from the Maine Forest Service. (Photo by Getty Images) The Maine State Chamber of Commerce has been following the Trump administration's actions on tariffs since the start of the year, said President and Chief Executive Officer Patrick Woodcock. Initially, the chamber's biggest concern was the potential for few exemptions and retaliatory steps that would drive up costs of everyday products for Mainers. But while the overall effect so far has been more limited than anticipated, Woodcock said Monday that some individual companies and industries are already seeing a 'dramatic impact.' For example, he said lumber product prices have increased. Similarly, tariffs have driven up the cost of cars, which Woodcock said has been 'hugely consequential' for consumers. In Maine, 'our forest products industry is the one that is most affected with these specific industry, sector-level tariffs,' Woodcock said. The state imports 2.3 million tons of wood products annually, most of which comes from Canada, according to a recent industry report from the Maine Forest Service. The Maine Forest Products Council did not respond to a request for comment from Maine Morning Star by the time of publication. Trump levies a host of new tariffs on U.S. trading partners Prices for softwood lumber, which can be used in construction or furniture making, were up more than 2% over the past month and nearly 17% higher than they were a year ago, according to a July 25 report from the National Association of Home Builders. The report attributes recent lumber price volatility to rising tariffs, as well as increased demand, supply chain issues and insufficient domestic production. One way to address the high prices would be a long-term deal with Canada to reduce tariffs and boost imported lumber, the report goes on to say. However, on Thursday — one day before the deadline President Donald Trump set for reaching trade agreements with dozens of countries — Trump issued an executive order raising the tariff rate on goods imported from Canada to 35%. Trump said earlier that day it would be hard to reach an agreement with the country because of Canada's announcement that it will recognize a Palestinian state. The executive order outlining the tariff increase also said Canada, which Trump previously suggested should become the 51st state, failed to do more to address the flow of illegal drugs into the U.S. through the northern border. Maine Attorney General Aaron Frey and other Democratic state attorneys general are currently challenging that argument in the U.S. Court of International Trade, which last week ruled in their favor. Since the start of Trump's second term, many Maine industries have expressed concerns about a potential trade war with Canada, given how deeply interconnected the state's economy is with its northern neighbor. Every year, Maine exports $1.4 billion in goods to Canada and in turn imports more than $5 billion worth of goods. In April, Maine farmers and brewers shared their worries about increased costs from the tax on imported goods being passed onto consumers. Woodcock said Trump's executive orders have narrowed the scope of the tariffs by excluding products that are certified by the existing free trade agreement for North American countries, known as the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement or USMCA. The executive order issued last Thursday reiterates that some goods from Canada are still protected by that agreement, which is up for renegotiation next year. 'That limits the number of products that are affected,' Woodcock explained, so the consequences of the tariffs will 'be more company-by-company and will not encompass some of the consumer products commodities that we were very concerned about, including heating oil and electricity.' SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
05-06-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Weather ‘definitely a factor' in death of New York hikers in Maine park
Weather may be to blame for the deaths of two hikers, a father and daughter from New York, in a Maine state park this week, officials revealed Thursday. Esther Keiderling, 28, was found dead around 1 p.m. on Wednesday in a wooded area, Baxter State Park officials wrote in a social media post. Her father, Tim, 58, was found dead a day prior, around 2:45 p.m., near the summit of Mount Katahdin. Both Keiderlings, of Ulster Park, New York, left Abol Campground on Sunday to hike to the summit. They were last seen at around 10:15 a.m. That day, the weather forecast called for temperatures in the mid-30s on the mountain, with the summit obscured, said Park Director Kevin Adam. There was a 70% chance of rain on Sunday, the day both Keiderlings went missing, with winds ranging from 30 to 40 mph. "It would have been freezing rain, fog, and some snow for Sunday," Adam explained. 'Weather is definitely a factor in this incident.' A search for the pair began Monday morning after finding their vehicle still in the day-use parking lot. Park rangers searched several trails, including the Katahdin Tablelands, and found no sign of the father and daughter. The search expanded Tuesday with more than 30 game wardens looking for the pair. The Maine Forest Service and Army National Guard used helicopters to aid in the search. Tim Keiderling was found dead on Tuesday by a game warden and his K-9. Game wardens, park rangers and K-9 teams resumed the search for Esther Keiderling Wednesday. 'We understand that many of our social media followers share in our profound sadness for the family and friends of Tim and Esther Keiderling,' officials wrote in a Facebook post. 'We appreciate your support for their loved ones and the members of the search teams during this incredibly difficult time. Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with Tim and Esther Keiderling's family and friends.' Capitol Hill Republicans shoot down Mass. lawmaker's effort to subpoena Elon Musk R&B icon says brother made 'mockery' of his estranged son's cancer death Boston marathon raised $50M+ for charity in 2025, setting record Belmont man wanted in connection with road rage hatchet assault surrenders Harvard Medical School renames DEI office as university fights against Trump admin in court Read the original article on MassLive.
Yahoo
04-06-2025
- Yahoo
Father, daughter found dead after days-long search in Maine national park
The body of a 28-year-old New York woman was found in a wooded area in a Maine state park on Wednesday, a day after her father's body was found near the summit of Mount Katahdin. The pair were the subject of intense searches over multiple days this week, after disappearing on Sunday as they hiked up to the summit of Katahdin. Esther Keiderling, 28, was found dead around 1 p.m. on Wednesday in a wooded area, Baxter State Park officials wrote in a social media post. Her father, Tim, 58, was found dead a day prior, around 2:45 p.m., near the summit. Both Keiderlings, of Ulster Park, New York, left Abol Campground on Sunday to hike to the summit. They were last seen at around 10:15 a.m. A search for the pair began Monday morning after finding their vehicle still in the day-use parking lot. Park rangers searched several trails, including the Katahdin Tablelands, and found no sign of the father and daughter. The search expanded Tuesday with more than 30 game wardens looking for the pair. The Maine Forest Service and Army National Guard used helicopters to aid in the search. Tim Keiderling was found dead on Tuesday by a game warden and his K-9. Game wardens, park rangers and K-9 teams resumed the search for Esther Keiderling Wednesday. 'We understand that many of our social media followers share in our profound sadness for the family and friends of Tim and Esther Keiderling,' officials wrote in the Facebook post. 'We appreciate your support for their loved ones and the members of the search teams during this incredibly difficult time. Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with Tim and Esther Keiderling's family and friends.' Massachusetts House votes to overhaul Cannabis Control Commission 'I did the humane thing': Worcester city councilor stands by actions at ICE arrest Defendant's family asked teen 'to not speak out' in Boston sex trafficking case, lawyer said Man who killed Milford police officer granted 'compassionate release' Teen runs a mile to escape attacker who dragged him into Springfield park Read the original article on MassLive.
Yahoo
04-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Father and daughter found dead on Maine mountain after vanishing during hike
A father and daughter were found dead on Mount Katahdin in Maine, days after they were reported missing. The body of Tim Keiderling, 58, was discovered Tuesday on the Tablelands area of the mountain, Baxter State Park said in a press release. His daughter, Esther Keiderling, 28, was found dead Wednesday afternoon in a wooded area between two trails off the Tablelands following an extensive search. Crews, including game wardens, rangers, and K-9 teams, had searched Mount Katahdin both on the ground and from the air for Esther Keiderling, Baxter State Park said in an earlier news release. Maine Forest Service Helicopters and Maine Army Guard Helicopters assisted. The pair, from Ulster Park, New York, left the Abol Campground on Sunday to hike the summit, the park said. They were last seen around 10:15 a.m. heading in the direction of the summit. Park rangers began searching for them Monday after finding their vehicle in a day-use parking lot. Tim Keiderling was a member of the Bruderhof Communities, a Christian community in which people share all their possessions, including money. His brother-in-law, Heinrich Arnold, released a statement on the community's Facebook page. "It is with a heavy heart that I share the news of the passing of my brother-in-law and fellow Bruderhof member Tim Keiderling," he said. "Although our brother Tim was taken from us all too soon, we know Tim loved Jesus and is now in eternity with Him. We continue to pray for Esther and hope she is found soon." This article was originally published on
Yahoo
04-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Father Dead, 28-Year-Old Daughter Still Missing 3 Days After Setting Out on Appalachian Trail Hike: Authorities
The body of 58-year-old Tim Keiderling, who went missing along with his daughter Esther, 28, on June 1 after hiking together in Maine, has been found The pair was last seen heading to Mount Katahdin for their Appalachian trail hike at around 10:15 a.m. on Sunday, June 1, according to authorities. They announced that they had located Tim's body on Tuesday, June 3 Search and rescue teams are continuing their hunt for EstherThe body of a man who went missing alongside his daughter after the pair set out on an Appalachian trail hike together has been found. On Tuesday, June 3, the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife announced that Tim Keiderling, 58, and his daughter Esther, 28, were missing. They had last been seen leaving Abol Campground to hike Mount Katahdin in Maine at around 10:15 a.m. on Sunday, June 1. In an update posted on Facebook several hours later on Tuesday, rangers at Baxter State Park confirmed that the body of a man positively identified as Tim had been found in their search, but they were continuing the hunt for Esther. 'At approximately 2:45 p.m. today, a Maine Warden Service K9 search team located the body of Tim Keiderling on the Tableland, near the summit of Katahdin. Search efforts continue for Esther Keiderling,' they wrote. Baxter State Park said in a statement, 'We know that many of our social media followers share in our deep sadness for the family and friends of Tim Keiderling, and appreciate your support as teams continue the search for Esther." According to the park's website, the hike up Katahdin is 'a very strenuous climb, no matter which trailhead you choose.' The round-trip time is noted to take on average eight to 12 hours. Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Before locating Tim's body, the search had expanded to include the Warden Service K9 and Maine Forest Service helicopters. The Maine Forest Service and the Maine Army National Guard, who use Blackhawk and Lakota Helicopters, were also assisting by searching in the air. Rangers began searching for them Monday morning after Tim's vehicle was found in the day-use parking lot, park officials said. 'At this point, searchers from the ground and air have not found any traces of the missing hikers. The search will continue through the daylight hours,' the park said initially. 'Baxter State Park has closed the Hunt and Abol Trails on Katahdin in order to assist with the search. At this time, volunteer searchers are not needed.' Authorities are urging anyone with information regarding Esther or anyone who was on or around the summit of Katahdin Sunday between 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m., to call Houlton State Police at 207-532-5400. PEOPLE has contacted the MDIFW and Houlton State Police for comment, but did not immediately hear back. Read the original article on People
