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Deputy Director Job Announcement

The Maine Forest Products Council is seeking a full time Deputy Director with the primary responsibility of assisting the Executive Director in legislative advocacy activities. Activities include active relationship building with state and federal policy makers, preparing testimony based on membership input, and managing membership outreach to legislators.

The position will also have association management and communications responsibilities that include production of membership newsletters and public reports, working with media contacts, and managing social media outlets. Experience in researching and reporting on technical issues, project management and group facilitation skills will be important factors in selecting an appropriate candidate. Experience in the natural resource sector is desired. A bachelor’s degree is required.

Qualified applicants should send a resume to Patrick Strauch, Executive Director, Maine Forest Products Council, 535 Civic Center Drive, Augusta, ME 04330 or email at: adminassist@maineforest.org

MFPC Lawsuit on LD 188 brief update.

On 10/7/21, by an affirmative vote of the MFPC board of directors, MFPC joined several other plaintiffs in a complaint against the Administration over Public Law Chapter 280, “An Act Regarding the Transportation of Products in the Forest Products Industry” . The Act deprives Plaintiffs of a valuable and legal source of labor and employment in violation of both the Supremacy Clause and the Equal Protection Clause of the United States Constitution, as well as the Maine Constitution’s Equal Protection Clause. The complaint is in the hands of a federal judge, and we will keep you posted on any developments.

Governors Climate Council

 Patrick attended the one year anniversary of the Climate Change Council meeting as a Governor’s appointed delegate at the University of Maine. One Year Progress Report

The recent news from the Glasgow Climate Change Conference added a sense of urgency to the Maine plan. In addition to receiving an update from the various CCC committees, an earlier press conference announced new initiatives to empower communities in the fight against climate change. Mills new initiatives

Forest Carbon Task Force

Commissioner Amanda Beal, Governor’s Legislative Director Tom Abello, Barry Brusilla, Governor Mills, Tom Doak MWO and Patrick Strauch meeting in the governor’s office. 

    On December 14 Patrick along with Tom Doak, MWO and Barrie Brusilla, Mid-Maine Forestry presented the recent report from the Forest Carbon Task Force focused on recommendations for small woodlot owners 10,000- 20 acres. Two key recommendations were to build a greater MFS regional forester outreach capacity to educate landowners on active forest management and evaluating the Open Space Taxation program for enhancement of carbon friendly management practices. We’ll send you the report when it is publicly available.

FOR/Maine announcement 

“Build Back Better Regional Challenge” Press Release

The For/Maine project potentially entered Phase III with the University of Maine-Roadmap proposal to continue work in developing new markets, building opportunities for communities and building Maine’s workforce and careers in the forestry sector. The group has qualified for a $500,000 planning grant from the US Economic Development Agency’s Build It Back Better funding in preparation of a proposal for a larger grant that could award $100 million dollars to successful applicants.

(Groups Proposal) There will be more information and opportunities for the industry to participate in formulating the proposal.

Finland Speaking Seminar

In a series of seminars designed to build collaborations between Finland, Maine and Minnesota, Patrick Strauch will be on a panel discussing Maine Forest Policy and Regulatory issues. The webinars are listed below

• Webinar 1: Institutions, policy and actors – Thursday 27 January, 9am EST / 4pm EET. Please register by 23 January 2022. Registration link
• Webinar 2: Ecology and management – Thursday 24 February, 9am EST / 4pm EET. Please register by 20 February 2022. Registration link
• Webinar 3: Economics, forest operations and technology – Thursday 24 March, 9am EST / 4pm EET. Please register by 20 March 2022. Registration link
• Webinar 4: Current issues and opportunities: a look towards the future – Thursday 28 April, 9am EST / 4pm EET. Please register by 24 April 2022. Registration link

 Rulemaking / Legislative Committees

a.      Species of special Concern Rulemaking- The Councils Wildlife Committee recently submitted testimony supporting the new procedures to identify species of concerns but has suggested a peer review process be added to the procedures for listing species. Testimony

a.       Advanced Clean Trucks Program MFPC jointly signed on a letter of concern during rulemaking on this initiative. Along with the Maine Motor Transportation Association, we believed more discussion needed to take place before signing up to the requirement that truck vendors in Maine commit to selling a quota of electric heavy-duty trucks. We believe The DEP has agreed to rescind the rule and open discussions with stakeholders.

b.      Sunday Hunting task force.  Patrick has been working with IF&W and selected groups to discuss Sunday Hunting issues. Along with the Maine Woodland Owners and the Farm Bureau, the Council has been vocal about establishing a Sunday Hunt option in Maine out of fear it would upset the Maine tradition of open access hunting. The group agreed on a series of public polling questions that will be conducted in the next few months. Recommendations from the group will be informed by this survey and provide insight on the public’s acceptance of Sunday hunting.

It has been a challenging year at many levels for our industry and communities. The council staff certainly appreciates the opportunity to work with all of you and we wish you happy holidays and a safe and prosperous New Year