Health Care M&A

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Health Care M&A Volume 16, Issue 4 THE April 2011 Health Care M&A MONTHLY InsIde the health Care M&a Market INSIDE THIS ISSUE The Hospital M&A Market Activity Spikes, Pricing Remains Steady...For Now The Hospital M&A Market Merger and acquisition activity in the 2010 hospital market showed he results are in! The 2010 measured by certain multiples, held marked increases over the previous Hospital M&A market reported steady during 2010. two years. Despite the upsurge in activity, acquisition pricing remains Tstrong activity and posted ro- relatively stable. Page 1 bust numbers. A total of 73 domestic Buyers committed approximately deals were announced involving 175 $12.8 billion to carry out this activ- hospitals and 29,294 acute care beds. ity, the highest level since 2006 when ... This level of activity shows a marked HCA was privatized by a consortium of First Quarter 2011 Results increase over 2009 when 52 deals were private equity groups for $33.0 billion. announced involving 80 hospitals with Our 2010 data does include Commu- The health care M&A market for the first quarter of 2011 posted a total 10,064 beds. The hospital M&A mar- nity Health Systems’ (NYSE: CYH) of 209 transactions worth a combined ket thus continues to climb out of the proposed $7.3 billion acquisition of $55.45 billion. The market continues the growth trends from the previous depths of the Great Recession, which Tenet HealthCare Corp. (NYSE: quarter. Page 1 bottomed in late 2008 and early 2009. THC), a hostile bid announced late in But even though the pace and scope of 2010. While Tenet has demurred so ... all this deal making continues to grow, far, Community Health’s leadership acquisition pricing for hospitals, as (continued on page 9) In The Departments Services First Quarter 2011 Results Health Care Services Page 2 209 Deals Announced Worth $55.45 Billion Deal Summaries Page 5 Additional Transactions Page 7 Transaction Updates Page 8 ased on data gathered so far, with 37 deals, Long-Term Care with the health care industry posted 27 and Biotechnology with 23 (as we Financing Ba total of 209 mergers and ac- note on page 2, the tie with Hospitals Venture Capital Page 10 quisitions in the first quarter of 2011. for third place is only apparent). The Private Placements Page 12 Overall, deal volume dropped 16% number of deals posted in each of the The Public Markets Page 12 from the previous quarter and 8% from 13 sectors, along with comparisons to the year-ago quarter. The nine sectors the previous and year-ago quarters, Technology of the health care services segment ac- appears in the table on page 3. Deal Summaries Page 13 counted for 117 deals, or 56% of the Additional Transactions Page 15 total while the four sectors of the health To date, a total of $55.45 billion Transaction Updates Page 15 care technology segment accounted for has been committed to finance the first Health Care Technology Page 16 the remaining 92 deals. quarter’s acquisition activity. When annualized, the current dollar volume The three most active sectors com- implies that well over $200.0 billion will bined represent 87 deals, or 42% of the be spent on health care M&A in 2011. total deal volume: Medical Devices (continued on page 2) www.healthcaremanda.com Page 2 The Health Care M&A Monthly April 2011 of February by itself accounted for $32.0 billion, or more First Quarter 2011 Results than $1.0 billion spent on health care M&A each day. (continued from page 1) That heady pace ended in March with the onset of diverse geopolitical events (Japan, Libya) and rising commodity In terms of dollar volume, the top three sectors are prices, which tended to spook investors in the financial Pharmaceuticals, Long-Term Care and Biotechnology, markets. As painful as these macro events are, particularly with $13.5 billion, $12.6 billion and $11.7 billion, respec- in the loss of human life, a direct connection between tively, or 24.8%, 23.2% and 21.5% of all health care M&A them and the fundamentals of the M&A market is very dollars spent in the first quarter. The percentage contribu- hard to establish. It’s not that the M&A market is wholly tion of each sector is shown in the chart on page 20. The insulated from these larger trends, but that it responds to results for four of the services sectors, each individually more local and, well, market forces, such as the need for negligible, have been aggregated. cost containment, the drive to increase market share and the development of accountable care organizations. The first quarter produced a total of 12 separate billion-dollar deals worth a combined total of $35.3 bil- Our data for the first quarter includes certain deals that lion. The five deals in the services segment captured $15.4 are not yet carved in stone. For example, Steward Health billion while the seven in the technology segment captured Care System made an unsolicited offer to buy Jackson $19.9 billion. As we remarked in our last issue, the month Health System (JHS) in Miami-Dade County, Florida for $1.1 billion. JHS has not replied directly to Steward, let- ting certain deadlines lapse, and Steward has since moved The Health Care M&A Monthly on to announce other acquisitions closer to its home in ISSN#: 1091-9716 Boston. Still, we have included the deal here for the time Published Monthly by: Irving Levin Associates, Inc. being to give something of the flavor and ambitions of 268-1/2 Main Avenue this robust market. Norwalk, CT 06851 800-248-1668 (Phone) Overall, the Q1:11 M&A market in the health care 203-846-8300 (Fax) [email protected] industry appears to be an extension and continuation of www.healthcaremanda.com the 2010 market. Publisher: Eleanor B. Meredith Health Care Services Managing Editor: Stephen M. Monroe Editor: Sanford B. Steever Advertising: Karen Pujol BehavIoral health Annual Subscription Rate: $2,497 Three deals were announced in the Behavioral Health (Includes 50 Weekly Email Bulletins, Four Quarterly Supplements And Special Database Access) sector. In the largest one with a price, Universal Health © Copyright 2011 Irving Levin Associates, Inc. Services (NYSE: UHS) is selling MeadowWood Behav- All rights reserved. Reproduction or quotation in whole ioral Health, a 58-bed acute care psychiatric facility in or part without permission is forbidden. Delaware, to Pioneer Behavioral Health (AMEX: PHC) for $21.5 million. The sale came about as a requirement This publication is not a complete analysis of every material fact imposed on UHS in connection with its $3.1 billion regarding any company, industry or security. Opinions expressed are subject to change without notice. Statements of fact have been acquisition of Psychiatric Solutions, which closed last obtained from sources considered reliable but no representation is November. The transaction is valued at 1.4x revenue. made as to their completeness or accuracy. This Firm or persons To fund this deal, PHC received a funding commitment associated with it may at any time be long or short any securities of up to $23.5 million of senior secured term debt and a mentioned in the publication and may from time to time sell or buy such securities. This Firm or one of its affiliates may from $3.0 million senior secured revolving credit facility from time to time perform investment banking or other services for, or Jefferies Finance, LLC. Further divestments will follow. solicit investment banking or other business from, any company mentioned in the publication. POSTMASTER: Please send address In South Bend, Indiana, Memorial Health System changes to The Health Care M&A Monthly, 268-1/2 Main Avenue, Norwalk, CT 06851. is paying $3.0 million to acquire the inpatient hospital and physician services assets of The Madison Center, www.healthcaremanda.com April 2011 The Health Care M&A Monthly Page 3 which is undergoing bankruptcy reorganization. The assets primarily include three buildings; a fourth building on the campus was acquired by The Health Care M&A Market Saint Vincent de Paul Society. Madison Center Q4:10 Q1:10 defaulted on $58.0 million in bonds, and was Q1:11 % % propelled into bankruptcy in October 2010. Sector Deals* Deals Change Deals Change Services Segment: Oglethorpe, LLC also bid for the facility, but Long-Term Care 27 35 -23% 20 35% would not commit to providing mental health Hospitals 23 24 -4% 9 156% services to the indigent. Physician Groups 18 29 -38% 12 50% Labs, MRI, Dialysis 11 7 57% 8 38% In what may ultimately prove to be the larg- Home Health Care 5 7 -29% 14 -64% Behavioral Health Care 4 2 100% 0 NM est behavioral health deal of the month, Sequel Rehabilitation 2 5 -60% 2 0% Youth and Family, a Levine Leichtman portfolio Managed Care 1 1 0% 2 -50% company, acquired Camelot System of Care, Other 26 24 8% 26 0% a company that serves at-risk youth and has Services Subtotal 117 134 -13% 93 26% developed residential programs that focus on Technology Segment: autism and autism-related disorders. With this Medical Devices 37 42 -12% 41 -10% acquisition, Sequel now operates 31 programs in Biotechnology 23 26 -12% 30 -23% 16 states. Camelot was advised by Cain Broth- Pharmaceuticals 20 27 -26% 39 -49% ers. Senior debt financing was provided byFifth e-Health 12 19 -37% 23 -48% Technology Subtotal 92 114 -19% 133 -31% Third Bank and MidCap Financial, LLC. Grand Total 209 248 -16% 226 -8% Even though Psychiatric Solutions is now *Preliminary figures a part of Universal Health Services, its former management team is already saddling up to $20.0 million in Acadia Healthcare, and joined its man- pursue further opportunities in behavioral health.
Recommended publications
  • Summary of Sexual Abuse Claims in Chapter 11 Cases of Boy Scouts of America
    Summary of Sexual Abuse Claims in Chapter 11 Cases of Boy Scouts of America There are approximately 101,135sexual abuse claims filed. Of those claims, the Tort Claimants’ Committee estimates that there are approximately 83,807 unique claims if the amended and superseded and multiple claims filed on account of the same survivor are removed. The summary of sexual abuse claims below uses the set of 83,807 of claim for purposes of claims summary below.1 The Tort Claimants’ Committee has broken down the sexual abuse claims in various categories for the purpose of disclosing where and when the sexual abuse claims arose and the identity of certain of the parties that are implicated in the alleged sexual abuse. Attached hereto as Exhibit 1 is a chart that shows the sexual abuse claims broken down by the year in which they first arose. Please note that there approximately 10,500 claims did not provide a date for when the sexual abuse occurred. As a result, those claims have not been assigned a year in which the abuse first arose. Attached hereto as Exhibit 2 is a chart that shows the claims broken down by the state or jurisdiction in which they arose. Please note there are approximately 7,186 claims that did not provide a location of abuse. Those claims are reflected by YY or ZZ in the codes used to identify the applicable state or jurisdiction. Those claims have not been assigned a state or other jurisdiction. Attached hereto as Exhibit 3 is a chart that shows the claims broken down by the Local Council implicated in the sexual abuse.
    [Show full text]
  • OA-Annual-Report-2018.Pdf
    completing the largest service project undertaken by optimism combined with his uncanny ability to know just the Boy Scouts of America since the Second World when to call or to send an uplifting note. War. During these five-weeks more than 285,000 At the 2018 National Order of the Arrow Conference, the 2018 invasive trees were removed, 163 miles of existing Brad was recognized as the sixth and final recipient of trails were improved, 53.6 miles of new multi-use trails the Legacy of Servant Leadership Lifetime Achievement were built, 22 tons of trash was removed, and more Award. This award recognizes the Orders second and than 50 square acres of campsite and recreation space ANNUAL REPORT third generation of “Founders” – Scouters who had built was constructed. Jake was presented the President’s an enduring legacy to Scouting and the OA through a Volunteer Service Award by President George W. Bush, lifetime of cheerful service. He had been recognized in who personally visited the Shasta-Trinity site to make 1977 with the DSA, in 2006 with Silver Buffalo, and had the presentation. also received the District Award of Merit, Silver Beaver, ArrowCorps5 represented the largest single volunteer and Silver Antelope. service project to our nation’s public lands. 280,000 Beyond all the accolades, Brad’s journey through hours of service were completed, worth in excess of Scouting and life should serve as role model to us in $5.6 million dollars according to the US Forest Service. living the Scout Oath, Scout Law, Obligation of the The size, scope, and success of ArrowCorps5 marked a Order, in our daily lives.
    [Show full text]
  • Boy Scouts of America Hold Harmless Agreement
    Boy Scouts Of America Hold Harmless Agreement Which Montgomery cooperating so smash that Welby protracts her carcinogen? Jeromy is esthetic: she Gallicanismlevitating due hesitatingly. and woods her yate. Roughish Thatcher never mutilate so observably or gybes any Boy scouts of education and representatives, scouts of agreements are in contracting for all participants to become safe scouting and obligations to A Hold Harmless Agreement attached 3 A roster listing all hero and adults participating in this activity is broken be turned into his Camp Ranger upon arrival. Ingersoll Scout Reservation WD Boyce Council will be conducting a Scout Cowboy Action Shooting. BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA TROOP 533 MUNSTER INDIANA OUTING PERMISSION FORM during my permission to go on the following that with Troop 533. Organizational Hold-Harmless close for non-BSA. COVID-19 Pikes Peak Council. An indemnity or hold harmless agreement protects the stool from. Boy Scouts of America Greater St Louis Area Council Non. By using the plea you blow to hold us harmless from any claims relating to errors or. Whatever your needs let us help out find her perfect spot collect your activity. A Hold Harmless Agreement is a complete agreement that states that in party might not cancel another party liable for risk often physical risk or subsidiary The Hold Harmless Clause can it one-way unilateral or any-way reciprocal agreements and major be signed before or bolster an activity takes place. Seven Mountains Scout the Facility Rental Agreement. 2 Complete and exclude a Hold Harmless Agreement upon registration with quality unit does check-in as.
    [Show full text]
  • South Georgia Council, BSA (Including the Histories of Alapaha Lodge and Immokalee Lodge)
    The History of Withlacoochee Lodge South Georgia Council, BSA (Including the Histories of Alapaha Lodge and Immokalee Lodge) Complied for the Order of the Arrow CENTENNIAL HISTORY PROJECT Electronically presented to The National Order of the Arrow Committee Copyright © 2014 South Georgia Council, BSA. All Rights Reserved. August, 2014 DEDICATION Dedicated To Those Who Came Before By Those Of Us Here In The Present For Those Who Come After Us We are Withlacoochee Lodge of the Order of the Arrow, South Georgia Council, Boy Scouts of America. We are members of Scouting's National Honor Society all of whom were chosen by our fellow scouts to receive that honor. We are a service organization aiding and assisting camping in the council whenever and wherever needed. We are bound together by a unique experience in the lives of young men, one of the last true tests of both physical and mental endurance, which is known as The Ordeal. We share memories of nights alone under the stars, of arduous tasks for the betterment of others, and of the feast on Saturday night. We share memories of torches seen moving afar off in the woods, of the smell of council fires burning bright and of ceremonies late at night and deep in woods of camp. We share memories of joining together with others brothers for Fellowships, Conclaves and Conferences. In time, our brothers move on and some leave us forever, but we will all forever be the WIMACHTENDIENK, WINGOLAUCHSIK, WITAHEMUI! Therefore, in conjunction with the Centennial of the Order of the Arrow, this book The History of Withlacoochee Lodge, South Georgia Council, BSA is presented to the National Order of the Arrow Committee.
    [Show full text]
  • Guide to Council Camps National Parks California
    GUIDE TO COUNCIL CAMPS NATIONAL PARKS CALIFORNIA PARKS ORANGE COUNTY PARKS SAN BERNARDINO PARKS 1 A Few Basics. As all American, I will do my best to . Be clean in my outdoor manners, Be careful with fire, Be considerate ill the outdoors, and Be conservation minded. -The Outdoor Code, The Boy Scout Handbook, 1993 Edition, Page 55 The Outdoor Code is perhaps the most well-known and shortest statement of BSA outdoor policy. It can be expanded into six points that cover how your unit can have a 'low-impact' on your weekend car camping and backpacking outings: Pretrip Plans Wear Scout uniforms or other clothes that will blend into the surroundings. When picking camping equipment, such as tents, try to abide by the same rule. Pack food in containers that you'll carry home at the end of a trip. Take along (and use) trash bags. Plan to have 12 or fewer people staying in an individual campsite. Pick areas that are suited to the type of activity that you are planning. Using Trails Stay on the trail. Don't cut across switchbacks. Campsites Choose sites free of fragile plants. Camp out of sight of trails, streams, and lakes. Don't dig trenches around your tents or make any other unneeded holes. Fires Build fires only where appropriate and allowed. Try to get by with just propane stoves. Use existing fire rings instead of making new ones. Bring your own wood supply with you whenever possible. Open gathering may be prohibited. If you gather firewood, make sure you only burn small wood gathered from the ground.
    [Show full text]
  • Wings Last Year's Program Book
    Wind Under Their Wings MISSION “To celebrate the women of Eagle Scouts. This special occasion brings together mothers and all women in the Scouting movement and promotes their united efforts to inspire the goals of Scouting in all children.” Wind Under Their Wings Program Welcome.....................................................................................................Connie Knott and Helen Kim Spitzer Buglers.......................................................................................................Venture Crew 561 Rose Bowl District Posting of Colors and Pledge of Allegiance Color Guard.............................................................................................................Troop 373 Lucky Baldwin District Invocation............................................................................................................Sue Newton Choral Performance.........................................................La Canada Chamber Singers Reception Music...........................................................................La Canada Jazz Quartet Brunch Introductions and Recognitions........................................................Connie Knott and Helen Kim Spitzer 2018 Committee Photo Montage of 20 Year Anniversary Celebration of 20th Anniversary Commendation Celebration of Eagle Mothers State of the Council...................................................................................................Jeff Hunt Scout Executive/CEO Tim Greenleaf Chairman of the Board and Council President
    [Show full text]
  • Hispanic Age Range by Distribution
    Boy Scouts of America Multicultural Marketing: Serving Today’s Youth and Tomorrow’s Leaders Carlos Alcazar, President & CEO, Hispanic Communications Network How is this going to help me? Why Hispanic Initiatives? What are the opportunities for BSA? What kind of organizational change will happen? What kind of materials and support will be created? How will the National office be supporting councils? The Next 90 Minutes Is the Hispanic Market Really that Big? Overview of Hispanic Strategy The Dream Team The Seven Habits of Every Effective… Hispanic Initiatives Manager Orlando Magic How it Will Work for You The Model What it is not… An advertising campaign A group of consultants that “drop in” A binder with resources What it is… A scaleable and replicable model that features all the necessary components to build a successful effort to offer BSA to the fastest- growing group in the U.S. US Hispanic Market Driving US Diversity and Growth Source: American Marketscape DataStream: 2008 Series US Hispanic Market Driving US Diversity and Growth Source: American Marketscape DataStream: 2008 Series US Hispanic Market Hispanic Age Range by Distribution Hispanics are the youngest population in the US. Source: American Marketscape DataStream: 2008 Series Is the Hispanic Market Really that Big? Last week the U.S. Census Bureau said… One (1) in Four (4) Children in the U.S. under the age of Five (5) are Latino Yesterday, Rick Cronk said that 48% of kids 10-18 in California are Latino The impact on youth-serving membership-driven organizations is clear
    [Show full text]
  • Camp Chawanakee – Friday & Sat End of Week 1 Camp Chawanakee Wilderness First Aid – Fresno Scout Service Center– Jan, 2019 - Date to Be Determined
    1 www.seqbsa.org Dear Leader: Welcome to our 2018-2019 program year. Your continued dedication to Scouting ensures that the highest quality programs are available for our youth. Thank you for being a volunteer and a role model. We have designed our Program Planning Guide as an additional resource as well as a council/district calendar. A few years ago we made several changes to better serve you. As you make use of this resource, you will notice there are two dimensional codes throughout this publication, like the one found on this page. These codes, known as Quick Response or “QR” Codes, will enable you to register for an activity or training, connect you to ready-to-use templates, or provide you with additional information about a specific topic. By using your smart phone, you can turn this edition of the Program Planning Guide into an interactive resource wherever you are. Simply search for a “QR” application for your device and you’ll ready to go. We hope you find these tools enable you to more easily plan and exe- cute your program. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact your district leadership. They are ready to assist you. Also, be sure to make use of the various online trainings now on my.scouting.org. We look forward to an amazing Scouting year. Thank you for all you do! Sincerely, Richard Egan Richard Schneider John Richers Council President Council Commissioner CEO/Scout Executive 2 www.seqbsa.org 3 www.seqbsa.org Informacion en Español Scouting es un programa para niños que abre puertas a un mundo de modelos y conducta posi- tivas, desarrollo de carácter, formación cívica, bienestar físico y mental y mucho mas.
    [Show full text]
  • Memphis Belle Comes to Tallahassee
    50¢ INCLUDES THE CALHOUN-LIBERTY TAX OURNAL CLJNews.comJ WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2012 Vol. 32, No. 45 Liberty County kids take part in in Show Time at Veterans Civic Center PAGE 13 Memphis Belle comes to Tallahassee Get a look at the B-17 bomber that came to Tallahassee for Monday’s Veterans Day Parade and read about a 90-year-old man who recalls his days Pioneer Settlement in the cockpit during WWII. holds Craft Show SEE PAGES 16 & 17 PAGE 9 Judge injured in 15-foot fall head first from shooting stand by Teresa Eubanks, Journal Editor He said he opened the door and looked out “The doctor told me that the collarbone A mishap in a tree stand left Liberty to see that one of the wooden support beams and ribs giving way spared my shoulder and County Judge Ken Hosford with a broken appeared to be completely cut in half while acted like a shock absorber,” he said. collarbone, four broken ribs, six damaged the other was crimped. The impact knocked him unconscious, but vertebrae and a severe concussion Saturday “I had just leaned my rifle in the corner he came to long enough to make two phone morning during a hunting trip in Springfield, when I heard a board crack,” he said. “The calls to his hunting companions, John Daniels Kentucky. stand was like a trap door and the metal and Darreyl Duggar. He said he realized there was a problem braces held. That was about the last thing I “I have no recollection of calling them,” with the two-man shooting stand as soon as remember.” he said, but he later verified that he did by he climbed up.
    [Show full text]
  • 2013 Annual Report CONTENTS Pg
    ORDER OF THE ARROW 2013 Annual Report CONTENTS Pg. 1 Youth Leadership Message Pg. 2 2013 National Scout Jamboree Pg. 3 2013 National Scout Jamboree Pg. 4 2013 National Scout Jamboree Pg. 5 2013 National Scout Jamboree Pg. 6 State of the Brotherhood Pg. 7 Support of Scouting Pg. 8 Tomorrow’s Leaders Pg. 9 Lodge Service Grants Pg. 10 National Service Awards Pg. 11 Maury Clancy American Indian Campership Fund & Get Kids to Camp Partnership Pg. 12 Goodman Camping Award Pg. 13 Josh Sain Memorial Scholarship Pg. 14 Silver Buffalo Honorees Pg. 15 OA High Adventure Pg. 16 OA High Adventure Pg. 17 National OA Endowment Pg. 18 National OA Endowment Pg. 19 National Order of the Arrow Committee Pg. 20 Journey to Excellence IBC Journey to Excellence YOUTH LEADERSHIP MESSAGE Brothers, The Order of the Arrow has always been an organization of opportunity. As we reflect on the year 2013, it humbles us to consider the remarkable opportunity extended to us—the honor of serving as your national chief and vice chief. The friendships forged and memories made this past year will remain with us throughout our lives. For this, we are truly grateful. Memories of 2013 ought to inspire great pride in the hearts of all Arrowmen. Together, we were able to meet our own challenge and leave a lasting legacy as we ushered in a new era in Scouting. The 2013 National Jamboree was a celebration of the second century of Scouting at our new home, The Summit Bechtel Family National Scout Reserve. The Order of the Arrow was an integral part of that homecoming.
    [Show full text]
  • Transportation and Marketing
    Transportation and Marketing Specialty Crop Block Grant Program Fiscal Year 2016 Description of Funded Projects The fifty States, the District of Columbia, and five U.S. Territories were awarded Fiscal Year 2016 funds to perform a total of 693 projects that benefit the specialty crop industry. All the eligible entities submitted their applications by the established deadline of July 6, 2016. The approved awards are listed alphabetically. Alabama Recipient: Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries Award Amount: 334,169.30 Number of Projects: 15 • This partnership with Auburn University will facilitate the development of regional and farm-specific brands based on collecting data from leading Alabama agricultural and food groups about regional and commodity strengths; and collect data from growers about barriers and opportunities for branding their crops. • This partnership with Auburn University will determine the effects of fruit maturity on postharvest longevity, fruit quality, and consumer preferences of ‘AU Golden Dragon’ and ‘AU Golden Sunshine’. Kiwifruit from each cultivar will be harvested weekly for 4 weeks and initial fruit quality will be assessed. Fruit will then be placed in cold storage and fruit quality will be measured bi-weekly until fruit is no longer marketable for fresh fruit according to commercial standards. Fruit from each harvest will be measured for fruit quality, and subjected to a consumer preference study. • This partnership with Auburn University at Montgomery (AUM) will enlarge, improve or develop three major teaching and demonstration gardens to be located at WC Patton Park in Birmingham, AUM in Montgomery, and the Poarch Creek Indians Community Garden in Atmore.
    [Show full text]
  • 2010 Seattlepi Chainsaw
    http://www.seattlepi.com/specials/scoutslogging/ Profit trumps preservation for Boy Scout councils nationwide By Lewis Kamb The Seattle Post-Intelligencer, January 29, 2009 For nearly a century, the Boy Scouts have worn a self-adorned badge as campsite conservationists and good stewards of the land. "The Boy Scouts were green before it was cool to be green," said the organization's national spokesman, Deron Smith. But for decades, local Boy Scouts of America administrations across the country have clearcut or otherwise conducted high-impact logging on tens of thousands of acres of forestland, often for the love of a different kind of green: cash. A Hearst Newspapers investigation has found dozens of cases over the past 20 years of local Boy Scout councils logging or selling prime woodlands to big timber interests, developers or others, turning quick money and often doing so instead of seeking ways to preserve such lands. "In public, they say they want to teach kids about saving the environment," said Jane Childers, a longtime Scouting volunteer in Washington who has fought against Scouts' logging. "But in reality, it's all about the money." Scouting councils nationwide have carried out clearcuts, salvage harvests and other commercial logging in and around sensitive forests, streams and ecosystems that provide habitat for a host of protected species, including salmon, timber wolves, bald eagles and spotted owls. Boy Scout councils have logged and sold for development properties bequeathed to them by donors who gave the lands with intentions they be used for camping and other outdoor recreation. In some cases, councils have sought to use revenues from logging or land sales to make up for funding lost because of the organization's controversial bans on gays and atheists from membership and employment rolls.
    [Show full text]