State Government Support
Maine
STATE OF MAINE JOINT RESOLUTION
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AND SENATE ~ 1998
RESOLUTION S.P. 866
by Senator Kilkelly
ADOPTED APRIL 1, 1998 BY HOUSE; MARCH 30, 1998 BY SENATE
A JOINT RESOLUTION encouraging the development of a sustainable forestry initiative
WHEREAS, the Maine Legislature seeks to establish a process that provides for public reporting of the forest management of large forest landowners in this State; and
WHEREAS, there is no adequate or credible manner by which the public can be informed concerning the long-term implications of large landowners’ forest management practices; and
WHEREAS, the public has a justifiable and legitimate interest in the public resources on privately owned forest land, those resources being air, water, fish and wildlife; and
WHEREAS, the large forest landowners of this State have formed a committee to implement a sustainable forestry initiative in this State to build programs to develop and build public confidence in their forest management practices; and
WHEREAS, the large forest landowners of this State are implementing those programs to demonstrate their commitment to fulfilling the goals of that sustainable forestry initiative; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED: That the Legislature encourages the State of Maine Implementation Committee of the Sustainable Forestry Initiative to implement a sustainable forestry initiative in Maine to develop and implement a 3rd-party process that verifies compliance with forestry-related performance standards; and be it further
RESOLVED: That the Legislature supports an effort that is based on the following principles and guidelines:
1. To practice sustainable forestry to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs by practicing a land stewardship ethic that integrates the reforestation, managing, growing, nurturing and harvesting of trees for useful products with the conservation of soil, air and water quality, wildlife and fish habitat and aesthetics;
2. To have large forest landowners use in their own forests, and promote among other forest landowners, sustainable forestry practices that are economically and environmentally responsible;
3. To protect forests from wildlife, pests, disease and other damaging agents in order to maintain and improve long-term forest health and productivity; and to protect special sites and to manage the forest of large forest landowners and lands of special biological, geological, historical or other significance in a manner that takes into account their unique qualities;
4. To continuously improve the practice of forest management and also to monitor, measure and report the performance of the State of Maine Implementation Committee of the Sustainable Forestry Initiative in achieving its commitment to sustainable forestry; and
5. On applicable lands, to employ an array of scientifically, environmentally and economically sound practices in the growth, harvest and use of forests; promptly reforest harvested areas; enhance wildlife habitat for game and nongame species; minimize the aesthetic impact of harvesting; protect company lands of ecological, geologic or historic significance; contribute to biodiversity conservation; improve wood utilization; use forestry chemicals prudently; foster the practice of sustainable forestry on all forest lands through cooperation with nonindustrial forest landowners and loggers and other forest industries; and publicly report progress and provide opportunities for public research; and be it further
RESOLVED: That the development and implementation of this 3rd-party verification process is expected to be conducted on a voluntary basis and to build public confidence by recognizing the need to take seriously the responsibility of large forest landowners to public resources on privately owned land; and be it further
RESOLVED: That the State of Maine Implementation Committee of the Sustainable Forestry Initiative is encouraged to establish a 5-member advisory panel, with one member representing the general public and the other 4 representing expertise in a broad spectrum of forestry management. This panel is expected to provide input and advice on the performance indicators to be applied to all companies being reviewed in the 3rd-party verification process; and be it further
RESOLVED: That the State of Maine Implementation Committee of the Sustainable Forestry Initiative is encouraged to establish a panel of 5 persons to monitor and observe all phases of the development of this 3rd-party verification process in the State of Maine through March 31, 1999; and be it further
RESOLVED: That the State of Maine Implementation Committee of the Sustainable Forestry Initiative or its appropriate panels are encouraged to report by March 31, 1999 to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over forestry matters on the development of a 3rd-party verification process; and be it further
RESOLVED: That suitable copies of this resolution, duly authenticated by the Secretary of State, be transmitted to the State of Maine Implementation Committee of the Sustainable Forestry Initiative.
