Logging in West Virginia
The wood industry of West Virginia generates $3.2 billion annually for the state’s economy and provides more than 30,000 jobs within the state. Each of the state’s 55 counties has some segment of the wood industry as an employer. The forest products sector is the largest employer in many of these counties.
Wood products manufacturing businesses include loggers, sawmills, dry kilns, rustic rail fence producers, veneer plants, furniture parts producers, kitchen cabinets and other wooden furniture.
Best Management Practices
The mass of logging operations that occur daily require intentional management and control in order to protect the state’s forests, water quality and workers. Learn more about safe and efficient logging.
Water Quality
Logging practices naturally disturb soil and waterways, often disrupting the balanced ecosystem on which our forests have learned to thrive. Awareness of these water quality issues as well as following practices to decrease logging sediment will serve to protect our water sources.
Industry Assistance
The West Virginia Division of Forestry provides start-up and existing businesses in the wood industry sector with professional consultation and helpful resources for growing and managing a wood industry business.
Forestry Products Suppliers
Find contact and production information for W.Va. forest products companies. From consumer goods to commercial products. (Internal link to product suppliers page)
Trainings, Licensing, Certifications
The West Virginia Division of Forestry provides logging related trainings, as well as licensing and certification for operating your logging business.
Logging Operators Links
From Timber Notifications Forms to licensing applications, you’ll find the form you need here for your logging related needs.
What can you do as a citizen?
Make sure companies operating for you or near you are licensed!
As a citizen, you can do your part to ensure that logging operations and your water continues to be safe. If you or someone you know is planning on harvesting timber, please check to make sure the logging company you use is licensed to complete timbering operations in West Virginia.
Download the Licensed Loggers for the most current list of available licensed loggers in the state. By using a properly licensed timber operator AND a certified logger, you know the workers will use BMPs that reduce both soil erosion and water pollution.
