A pair of Maine lawmakers wants to get more of the state’s teenagers interested in logging.
[As paper mills die, here’s how Maine’s loggers hope to survive]
Logging has a long history in deeply forested Maine. Independent Sen. Angus King and Democratic Rep. Jared Golden said they’re introducing legislation designed to “level the playing field for the logging trade with other agricultural fields.”
The lawmakers said their Future Loggers Careers Act would allow 16- and 17-year-olds to learn logging under parental supervision. They said that would allow the teenagers to contribute to family businesses, as well as help the businesses survive.
[Study for Maine loggers group cites low pay as barrier to industry growth]
The group Professional Logging Contractors of Maine supports the legislation, which it said will help ensure a future generation of timber harvesters in the state. The bill includes safety provisions, including prohibiting manual chain saw use by minors.
This article originally appeared on www.bangordailynews.com.
