HomeMy WebLinkAbout1990-11-08-LWSSC-min.pdf 4
SISTER CITY MEETING 11/8/90
AGENDA
1 . APSNICA,working with us on sawmill project
2 Trip
3 Any last minute details on Chomsky lecture
APSNICA is Architects and Planners in Support of Nicaragua, a
California organization which has organized and supported
many projects in Nicaragua(see enclosed material ) They have
several sawmills in Nicaragua, including one on the Atlantic coast
in Pearl Lagoon Bonnie and Marshall visited this mill on one of
their trips
Both Ellen and Ken talked with Steve Kerpen, APSNICA's director
when we started working on the sawmill project I called them to
discuss what we were doing and because Martin suggested maybe they
could accompany Matt to Waspam
APSNICA has had six years of experience with mills in Nicaragua
Steve felt there were many possible problems and pitfalls that
should be ironed out for our mill to work smoothly on a longterm
basis
The major issues he outlined were
1 How will trees be harvested and brought to mill? This was
difficult in Pearl Lagoon since the trees were way out in the bush
and difficult to bring in
2 How will the mill operate? Originally in Pearl Lagoon people
who brought in harvested wood received 65% and the mill got 35%
Now the mill buys wood from harvesting teams and sells it to be
used for development The mill is self sustaining , employing
about 40 local Pearl lagooners
3 How will fuel , spare parts, chain saws be obtained? One large
part of the operation in Pearl Lagoon is supplying and maintaining
chain saws necessary to harvest the wood
4 Who will do accounting, maintenance, security? Due to the
worsening economic situation in Nicaragua APSNICA's mills have 24
hr /day security
APSNICA feels that in order for the mills to work they have to be