Environmentalists have been quick to point fingers at chip mills for devastating forestry practices. But the industry insists it''s "out of the loop" concerning timber cuts, since operators purchase their supply from private landholders. Industry officials are so infuriated, many refused to comment. The line connecting chip mills to clearcuts and destructive forestry isn''t a straight one, but it is visible. Dean Carson of the South Carolina Forestry Commission argues drillpresspenmaking that chips can be transported more efficiently, using less energy, than large pieces of timber, and mills can utilize the whole tree. But processing the whole tree is exactly what has brought the mills under fire: because lumber is chipped drillpresspenmaking into one-inch pieces, drillpresspenmaking any size scrap of timber will do. With new markets opening up for treetops, undersized trees, and forked or crooked specimens, landowners have added incentive to clearcut a site for quick profits, instead of harvesting selected trees to be cut into boards. And timber previously left behind to continue maturing, or that provided wildlife habitat or eroded to replenish soils, now finds itself in the steely mouths of the chippers. A 1998 U.S. Forest Service report says clearcutting accounts for 13 percent of logged land in the South. And because the chips are needed for everything from rayon and plastics to particleboard and paper, drillpresspenmaking chip markets continue growing. Timber giant Willamette Industries says chip mills allow landowners to merchandise otherwise unusable trees, discouraging forestry drillpresspenmaking practices like "high-grading" (cutting only the healthiest trees). "Clearcutting is often the best tool to assure a rich, diverse forest," claims Willamette''s web site. "Many songbirds and other types of wildlife require open areas for nesting and food gathering." Solar drillpresspenmaking hot water systems are installed on the rooftops of some homes, providing up to three-fourths of the hot water needed for washing dishes, showering and bathing. Compact fluorescent lighting reduces electrical demand."Energy-efficient appliances like Whirlpool front-loading washing machines and gas driers also are standard equipment in new homes," Says Mike Pritchard, HFH of Metro Denver''s Director drillpresspenmaking of Development. "The additional costs drillpresspenmaking of energy-efficient appliances are funded by a grant from the Colorado drillpresspenmaking Energy Assistance Foundation, which provides about $2,000 per home." * Tighten all hose connections so no air can enter the lines.* Set the spray wand to a low- or no-pressure setting to prevent recoil, or kickback, when the washer is started. Electric washers and gas washers with variable nozzles should be on low-pressure, wide fan settings. Gas washers with individual nozzle tips (photos, p. 30) should have their nozzle tip removed at this point.* Completely turn on the water faucet at the house. Squeeze the spray wand trigger to prime the pump and purge air from the system.
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