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MFPC Newsletter December 2021


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We extend our warmest wishes for a joyous holiday season and a new year full of happiness and success.

From your friends at the

Maine Forest Products Council

It’s almost time to resume the short session of the legislature. Legislative Council will be meeting at the end of this month to determine how the session will be structured. With COVID numbers growing there is a sense that we may return to Zoom committee meetings and infrequent meetings of the entire legislative body to keep the process moving forward. It was not the best example of democracy last session, but like everyone else, we will adapt to the situation. 

 

We have scheduled a legislative reception at the Senator Inn on January 27, subject to COVID restrictions, and it will be an important time to meet with legislators and establish connections. Interactions with constituents is our best tool for achieving a successful legislative session (particularly under COVID restrictions) The strength of our organizations’ advocacy is a combination of staff’s lobbying in the hallways combined with you holding your representatives’ feet to the fire.  At the reception we will provide breakfast and a light program with speakers from each of our sectors. We encourage you to bring your coworkers or other guests to provide a variety of conversations at each of the breakfast tables. The Northeast Lumber Manufacturers Association will be joining us in sponsoring the festivities. If you can think of anything you want to include in our information packets, please let Sue know.  Immediately following the reception, we will be holding our Board of Directors meeting. Again, if COVID restrictions limit gatherings, we will let you know, and we will prepare some regional ZOOM outreach events. Save the Date- Legislative Reception -January 27, 2022

 

Roberta Scruggs announced at the last board meeting that she would be moving on from the council and we wish her well after almost 9 years of exceptional service to the membership. In the announcement below you will see the executive committee has approved my recommendation to hire a deputy director to reflect the need for both a communications professional, but also someone to assume additional legislative and association management responsibilities. The Executive Committee has been focused on succession planning, and as members we should be encouraging the next generation of leaders in your companies by bringing another member of your company to a council event or board meeting. 

 

We will be gearing up for the next legislative session, activating the policy committee and testing out our new legislation management system. I look forward to representing you and directing you to opportunities where you can make a big contribution to our industry. In the meantime, enjoy the holidays and stay safe.

 

Patrick

Thanks to MFPC's

sponsors! 

Click on the images below to visit their websites

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

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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.


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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

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About MFPC

Since 1961, the Maine Forest Products Council has been the voice of Maine's forest economy. MFPC's members are landowners, loggers, truckers, paper mills, tree farmers, foresters, lumber processors and the owners of more than 8 million acres of commercial forestland, but they are also bankers, lawyers and insurance executives. The Council represents members at the Maine Legislature throughout the state, in Washington D.C. and the U.S.


Patrick Strauch, Executive Director

Pat SiroisSFI Coordinator

Sue McCarthy, Office Manager

207-622-9288, www.maineforest.org

Address: 535 Civic Center Drive, Augusta, Maine 04330

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