Kevin Kanduch - Presidents Message

As I step into the role of President of the Montana Logging Association, I do so with a deep respect for the legacy of this organization and a sharp awareness of the challenges facing our industry today. It’s an honor to represent such a hardworking, resilient group of professionals—people who know what it means to show up every day and put in an honest day's work, no matter the weather, terrain, or policy headwinds.

The State of Our Industry Montana’s logging industry is at a crossroads. Mill closures, restricted harvest levels, environmental litigation, and regulatory uncertainty continue to put pressure on contractors and landowners alike. Many of us are navigating tighter operating margins than ever before, while competing for fewer timber sales and facing longer haul distances and higher costs. The squeeze is real.

But there’s also real momentum starting to build. We're seeing some much-needed wins coming out of the Ninth Circuit Court—cases that favor sound forest management and help push back against excessive litigation. On the federal front, the administration’s forest policy has shifted toward getting real work done on the ground, supporting the kind of boots-on-the-dirt progress that puts our members to work and improves forest health. And the new Chief of the Forest Service seems poised to steer the organization in a direction that finally aligns with the needs of both the land and the people who manage it.

At the same time, we’re keeping a close eye on the massive organizational change coming down the pipeline within the Forest Service—the move away from the traditional nine-region structure. It’s still early, and the full impacts remain to be seen, but it could represent a major shift in how projects are planned, approved, and executed. Time will tell what it brings, but it’s clear that change is in the air.

The MLA has been working hard behind the scenes: advocating for working forests, engaging in legislative efforts, pushing for workforce development, and educating the public about the essential role of our members. Our message is simple and clear: Sustainable logging is not the problem—it’s part of the solution.

A Quick Update From the Field At KLM Contracting, we’ve been running two logging crews—one based out of Missoula and another working down in Salmon. Our firewood yard is starting to really take off, and we’re excited about the growing local demand. On the excavation side, we’re staying busy with multiple projects in the area, including a steady stream of road work and foundation digs.

It’s a lot of moving parts, but it’s a good reminder of just how diverse and vital our work really is—from timber to dirt, and everything in between.

Looking Ahead My vision for the MLA during my time as President is straightforward: keep us united, keep us informed, and keep us fighting for the future of logging in Montana. We’re stronger when we stand together—contractors, landowners, mills, and agency partners alike.

I’d love to hear from more of you—your insights, your frustrations, your ideas. If we want Helena and D.C. to hear us, we have to speak in one voice, and it needs to be loud enough to shake the trees.

Thanks for the opportunity to serve. Let’s get to work.

Kevin Kanduch

President, Montana Logging Association

KLM Contracting