Consistent with the terms of the Agreement, as amended, the United States and Canada will end a large portion of the litigation over trade in softwood lumber, and unrestricted trade will occur in favorable market conditions. When the lumber market is soft, as it is currently, Canadian exporting provinces can choose either to collect an export tax that ranges from 5 to 15 percent as prices fall or to collect lower export taxes and limit export volumes. The agreement also includes provisions to address potential Canadian import surges, provide for effective dispute settlement, distribute the antidumping and countervailing (anti-subsidy) duty deposits currently held by the United States, and discipline future trade cases. An industry-led bi-national working group will also be established under the agreement to discuss provincial policy reforms.

With respect to the disbursement of duty deposits currently being held in clearing accounts separate from the general treasury by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, approximately $4.3 billion will be returned to the importers of record; $500 million will be provided to the Coalition for Fair Lumber Imports, the petitioners in the antidumping and countervailing duty cases; $50 million will be provided to a bi-national industry council; and $450 million will be disbursed to promote meritorious initiatives in the United States. Inquiries regarding the three organizations identified to receive meritorious initiatives funds should be directed as follows:

• United States Endowment for Forestry and Communities, Inc.:
  Dick Molpus, President
  (601) 948-8733

• American Forest Foundation:
  Laurence Wiseman, President
  (202) 463-2460

• Habitat for Humanity International:
  Larry Lincoln, Director of Public Relations
  (800) 422-4828 Ext. 2224