The Forest Resources Association presented Rep. Michael Michaud (D-Maine) with its 2008 Legislative Leadership Award.
The award was given in recognition of the Congressman's advocacy for improving safety, transportation efficiency, and infrastructure conservation on the nation's roads through an increase in gross vehicle weight limits, under suitable conditions, on the Interstate system.

FRA, with other forestry and farm sector allies, is working with Rep. Michaud for GVW reform within the framework of the 2009 Highway Reauthorization Bill, through the Agricultural Transportation Efficiency Coalition, AgTEC.

"Your leadership on this issue, within the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, has been important in building momentum for reform on the national scene," said Richard Lewis, FRA president.

The exclusion of state-legal heavy trucks from the federal Interstate in Michaud's northern Maine district has forced truck traffic onto secondary roads and even through urban centers, since current rules exclude trucks in excess of 80,000 pounds from the Interstate, including federal bypasses. The result has been unnecessary traffic congestion and in-town safety exposures. Diverting this heavy traffic from state roads to federal roads designed to carry it would also improve fuel conservation, hauling efficiency, and air-quality impacts.

Promoting a more sensible truck weight policy in America makes common sense," Michaud said. "For too long our communities, shippers, and haulers have had to deal with a patchwork of different rules. I will be working hard with my colleagues in Congress to promote changes in the upcoming reauthorization bill."