Sustainable Forestry Initiative
Maine's
Sustainable Forestry Initiative:
Since 1994, Maine's SFI program has been promoting good management of Maine's forestland. At the heart of the SFI Program is a set of principles initiated by the American Forest and Paper Association (AF&PA). These principles call upon SFI participants to meet market demands while using environmentally responsible practices that promote the protection of wildlife, plants, soil, air and water quality to ensure the future of our nation's forests. The SFI principles are translated into action by providing forest managers with a specific roadmap to expand the practice of sustainable forestry and to improve performance visibly. The following objectives form the substance of the program and promote:
- Broadening the practice of sustainable forestry.
- Ensuring prompt reforestation.
- Protecting water quality.
- Enhancing wildlife habitat.
- Minimizing the visual impact of harvesting.
- Protecting special sites.
- Contributing to biodiversity.
- Continuing improvements in wood utilization.
- Continuing the prudent use of forest chemicals to help ensure forest health.
The Role of the State Implementation Committee
The SFI is coordinated in Maine by a State Implementation Committee (SIC). The SIC has been meeting since 1995 and includes about 60 people who represent AF&PA members, non-members, wood brokers, sawmills, Tree Farmers, small woodlot owners, loggers and state agencies serving in advisory capacities.
Since its inception, the SIC has provided a forum in which landowners could discuss the challenges involved in changing forest practices to meet the SFI standard. It has developed training programs which provide continuing education for loggers, foresters, and other forest industry employees. And, in 1999, it created the Verification Oversight Panel, a committee of forest specialists that reviews SFI audits.
Forestry Hotline
Maine SFI also offers a toll-free number, 1-888-SFI-GOAL (734-4625), to give the public an easy way to voice questions about on-the-ground forestry practices in Maine. The state SFI Coordinator handles these confidential calls, investigating the caller's concern and consulting with the company in question, then provides feedback to the caller on the results.