State Government Support
New York
STATE OF NEW YORK
LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION
SENATE RESOLUTION 2102
By Senators Kuhl, Present, DeFrancisco, Hannon, Holland, Johnson, Lack, Larkin, Levy, Libous, Marcellino, Maziarz, Rath, Saland, Seward, Skelos, Stafford and Wright
COMMENDING New York’s forest products industry
WHEREAS, The state of New York has a rich natural bounty of more than 18.5 million acres of reusable forest, that is currently growing at a rate three times faster than it is being cleared for development or harvested for wood products; and
WHEREAS, This vast forest resource has been a staple component of this Nation’s and this state’s economy since the founding of America and has sustained businesses, families and entire rural communities; and
WHEREAS, Through the generations, New York’s forest products industry has grown to represent nearly six percent of the State’s total manufacturing output (in the world’s 20th largest economy), contributes over $4 billion to the State’s gross economic output, employs over 60,000 individuals, and has a payroll in excess of $1.6 billion; and
WHEREAS, The forest products industry relies on the forest resource to make this State one of the Nation’s leading producers of paper, furniture, lumber and other wood products, and to meet society’s increasing demand for wood and wood-related products; and
WHEREAS, the forest products industry also strives to manage New York’s forest resources for non-commodity values such as habitat for wildlife, recreational opportunities, scenic landscapes, clean air, stable soil, and high quality water for future generations to enjoy, and
WHEREAS, The New York forest products industry is represented by the Empire State Forest Products Association, in recognition of its stewardship responsibilities, in nurturing the forest resource, has committed itself to the continuing principles of sustainable forestry by implementing the American Forest & Paper Association’s Sustainable Forestry InitiativeSM to promote, educate, train and monitor adherence to sustaining the forest resource for future generations; and
WHEREAS, The Sustainable Forestry InitiativeSM is based on the voluntary responsible environmental stewardship of forestry, resources, water resources and wildlife;
NOW, THEREFORE, be it RESOLVED , That this Legislative Body commend New York’s forest products industry for its history of care and commitment to the responsible use of resources; and be it further
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body recognize the development of the Sustainable Forestry InitiativeSM, which has educated land owners, foresters and loggers about the sustainability of New York’s forests; and be it further
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body endorse the Sustainable Forestry InitiativeSM and its self-regulatory objectives of increasing knowledge, professionalism and stewardship that will foster the sustainability of New York’s forests; and be it further
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body request that the public, forest landowners and resource agencies embrace and support the objectives of the Sustainable Forestry InitiativeSM in this State; and be it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to the Empire State Forest Products Association and the State University of New York – College of Environmental Science and Forestry.
Adopted in Senate on 7/22/97.
Signed by Stephen F. Sloan, Secretary
