FOTOFAX
BREVARD PLANT
PHOTO PRODUCTS DEPARTMENT
(gUPOfi!) VOL. 13, NO. 4 MAY/JUNE,.1980
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NO ACCIDENT: Paul Owenby looks over an area where the N.C. Forest
Service used controlled burning to remove brush left by dear cutting. Although the
appearance is that of a tragic fire, the area is actually one which has been harvested
by employees, cleaned by the Forest Service, and planted with thousands of young
white pines.
CLEAR CUT WOODLANDS
BURNED BY FOREST SERVICE
What goes on here? DuPont and the
Forest Service are setting fires instead of
trying to prevent them! Ranger Jim Hill
brought in Don Seagle and Jesse Owen
of the Forest Service to explain the pro
gram.
Strange as it may seem at first, fire
plays an important part in some of
nature's life cycles. When burning is
controlled, it's a tool, not a terror.
"Controlled burning isn't like a forest
fire," says Forest Ranger Don Seagle.
"And you can believe we control it
when we burn."
"In a burn like we've done on your
land, we don't just set the fire and
watch it. We mark out small areas with
in the designated area, and we burn one
piece at a time.
"We have a fairly complex set of con
ditions which must all be satisfied before
we start a burn. Without trying to ex
plain them all, just ley me say that if
everything isn't exactly right, we won't
burn; that's all. We don't ever set a fire
if there's any question. Wind, moisture,
atmospheric conditions, lots of things
have to be perfect.
"And we bring in lots of people. The
perimeter of each fire area is closely
tended. We have water trucks and all
the necessary equipment at the scene
before we start. In addition to that,
Channing Hubbard has provided for ex
treme precautions, including firebreaks
which are much better than the ones we
require."
"We don't do that much burning,
really," said Jesse Owen; "I think you
should mention that we were able to
burn this area because of the beautiful
job DuPont woodcutters did in clear
cutting it."
"From a forester's point of view, KG
(knife graded) areas are better than burnt
ones," said Seagle. "But from the wild
life angle, burning is the best. Second
growth and newly germinated vegetation
come out quickly, and it all gets a boost
from the nutrients, particularly potash,
which burning returns to the soil. Al
though all this new growth competes
with our seedlings, it also provides great
browse for deer and habitat for other
wildlife. KG'd areas are more expensive
to prepare than burnt ones, so there's a
savings when we find an area where we
can use controlled burning."
"This has been the first time we've
used burning, at least as far as I know,"
said Jim Hill. "There probably won't be
that much of it done very often, either.
But the way these fellows do it, you
can bet that Smokey the Bear won't
mind a bit."
Fifty acres were burned to eliminate
brush left from clear cutting. This area
has been replanted with white pine seed
lings as part of the continuing reforesta
tion program.
John
FOCUS:
CHALLENGES OF
CHANGING TIMES
The Brevard plant enjoyed a number
of relatively calm years and predictable
growth prior to the energy crisis of
1974-1975. Since that date our nation
has faced one crisis after another - all of
which has resulted in political and eco
nomic upheaval. Energy costs have con
tinued to rise contributing to inflation
and higher costs for vital raw materials
such as silver. The photographic industry,
a major consumer of silver, has been
caught in the middle of this turbulence.
These disruptions have had a serious
impact on the Brevard plant and are
likely to be felt for a long time. While
no one can accurately predict our eco
nomic and political future, I am con
vinced the remainder of 1980 will con
tinue as a period of uncertainty.
Foi the neat term our challenge is to
successfully manage an uncertain order
demand. Customers will continue their
efforts to tightly control inventories
which, in turn, necessitates similar action
at the plant. The requirement to provide
good customer service will not change;
therefore, maintaining good service will
require the close attention of every em
ployee.
DERA LAKE OPENS
Over the long term our x-ray business
will continue to feel the governmental
pressure on the medical profession to
reduce radiation exposure and trim
medical costs. The impact of electronic
imaging devices will continue as well as
stiffer competition from competitors.
What does this all add up to? It means
more prudent management of our re
sources of both people and money.
This means increasing productivity
through process improvements and
balanced manpowerand limitingexpend-
itures to those things yielding the great
est return.
This message may be a bit unpleasant;
but, in my judgment, our near and long
term challenges must be metsuccessfully
.if we are to maintain our position in the
marketplace. I am confident the em
ployees of this plant will do their part in
continuing to make this plant a success
ful operation.
Plant Manager
DERA Lake has opened, Jennifer
Saunders and Don Essenburg have been
hired as attendants, and the stage is set
for summertime relaxing.
All visitors must check in and out
with the attendant; so be sure you have
your DERA membership card with you
when you arrive. Remember, too, that
only members of the cardholder's house
hold will be admitted with the card. If
a person has no card, or presents a bor
rowed card, admission will likely be
denied them.
Guests are allowed, of course, but
the DERA board and members want to
assure that you need not compete with
the general public for your spot on the
beach. Accompany your guests for
their day at the lake, and have a good
time!
If you would like your own copy of
the Lake rules, you may get it from the
DERA office, which is open from 10
a.m. until noon each Monday, Wednesday
and Friday.
Address Correction Requested
Box 267, Brevard, N. C. 28712
Bulk Rate
U.S. Postage
PAID
Brevard, N.C.
Permit =^66