What has the Maine Forest Products Council done for you lately?

• MFPC hosted the Fall Legislative North Maine Woods Tour that attracted the participation of 25 legislators.  The overnight event included stops at a sawmill, an active timber harvesting site, and over a dozen speakers representing a wide cross section of the forest products industry.

• Initiated the “Adopt a Legislator Program” in an effort to provide members with the opportunity to directly educate and form relationships with legislators by hosting tours of their business operations.

• Collaborated with industry leaders to develop an unprecedented cooperative conservation proposal as an alternative to a critical habitat designation for Canada lynx in Maine.
  • Joined national forestry associations in opposition of new EPA standards to have forest roads classified as “point” sources of pollution under the Clean Water Act, thereby requiring thousands of additional EPA permits at every forest road water crossing.
  • Supported federal congressional delegation in their efforts to have the interstate highway truck weight limits increased to 100,000-lbs.
  • MFPC continues to coordinate with state associations, including the Maine Snowmobile Association and Sportsman’s Alliance of Maine, to oppose the creation of a national park in the North Maine Woods.
  • Developed a new website and series of daily, weekly, and monthly communications so members can stay apprised of the industry’s most pressing issues.
  • Actively supported LD 1534 to reform the Land Use Regulatory Commission and monitored and advised the study group formed to make recommendations on reforming the commission during the second half of the 125^th legislative session.
  • MFPC has been supportive of the business friendly administration in the Augusta, including bringing manufacturing members together to recommend strategies for increasing Maine’s competitiveness in the global marketplace. 

…and much more!

As always, the Maine Forest Products Council is committed to:

ü  Working with policy makers to enhance Maine’s business climate for our members

ü  Create important policy dialogue among the membership

ü  Conducting outreach efforts to inform the public about Maine’s forest products industry

Membership Benefits of the Maine Forest Products Council

Information

Stay informed! Receive up to date information on the industry’s most pressing issues by signing up for:

• MFPC Forest News- A daily news clipping service available to all members
• MFPC Forest Advocacy Review- A weekly summary of what’s happening in the Legislature and what you can do to help.
• Forest Products News- A monthly newsletter with detailed articles about issues facing Maine’s forest products industry.

Legislative Advocacy & Regulatory Monitoring

Make your voice heard in Augusta and Washington! MFPC employs three lobbyists who stay on top of legislative and regulatory initiatives affecting Maine’s forest products industry.  Some organizations and agencies that we follow are:

• Maine State Legislature
• Land Use Regulation Commission
• Department of Environmental Protection
• Maine Forest Service