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In this issue

  • Executive Director's Note: Tribal issue heats up in Washington
  • MFPC letter to House Appropriations Committee
  • LUPC accepting comments for Draft Moosehead Regional Package
  • DEP accepting comments on WQC certification application for Shawmut Dam
  • Sen. Lawrence: Let's save both the Atlantic salmon and the Shawmut Dam
  • MFS: Maine's forestry community continues to protect water quality during timber harvesting
  • Weyerhaeuser helps host volunteer workday on Great Diamond Island
  • MFPC Deputy Director visits Woodland Pulp/St. Croix Tissue
  • Welcome, Dove Tail Bat Company!
  • Maine & Co. Presents to MFPC BOD
  • BPL: Logging and Forestry Education Grant RFP
  • Save the Date for Annual Meeting

Traditionally mid-summer is a slower time here at the Council, but this year has proven to be the exception! We are gearing up for our annual golf tournament in Bangor next week, which is now sold-out. Thanks to all of our sponsors and attendees for your continued support of our mission.


We’ve also been busy tracking a bill in Congress, authored by Congressman Jared Golden, that is of great concern. The bill, H.R. 6707, “Advancing Equity for Wabanaki Nations Act”, would dramatically change the jurisdictional framework between the State of Maine and Maine’s tribes that was put into place when the State passed the Maine Implementing Act and Congress enacted the Maine Indian Claims Settlement Act in the 1980’s. As part of this original agreement, a patchwork of tribal lands was established that is unique to Maine tribes.


The Council is concerned because, if passed, this bill effectively eliminates the State of Maine, one of the three entities who entered into the original agreement (State, Tribes, feds), from the discussion on all federal tribal laws moving forward. This departure could easily result in a patchwork of environmental jurisdictions on shared resources such as air, water and wildlife resources that naturally traverse across Maine, causing regulatory uncertainty and significant red tape for the forest products mills and woodlands.


During the House Appropriations process, Congresswoman Chellie Pingree included H.R. 6707 into the Interior Appropriations Bill in Section 125. Both Governor Mills and the Council submitted letters against the inclusion of Section 125 (our letter is shown below), but unfortunately, this section was included despite the fact that the State was never informed or provided the opportunity to weigh in. When Congress passed the original settlement act, it insisted that all parties agree to the terms. We think Congress should not depart from that principle.


At this point, we believe it is still part of the Interior Appropriations bill. We have been in touch with Senator Collins and Senator King, and have asked for their assistance. We are hopeful that during the Senate Appropriations process, reference to H.R. 6707 in Section 125 will either be eliminated or significantly amended with all interested parties involved and at the table.


We are also now aware that an effort is also being made to also attach H.R. 6707 to H.R. 7900, the National Defense Authorization Act, which is before the House Rules Committee. It goes without saying that H.R. 6707 has nothing to do with national defense. The Council will be writing to the chair and ranking minority member of the Rules Committee objecting to this amendment. We will monitor the progress of H.R. 6707 as an amendment to this bill as well.


The Council strongly supports efforts to improve State/Tribal relations, however we don’t feel that it is possible to improve this dynamic without the involvement, input and consent of all parties involved, and we certainly object to changes that would result in increased litigation and regulatory uncertainty.


The Council is also monitoring the LUPC’s Draft Moosehead Regional Planning Package, and Maine DEP’s consideration of the Shawmut dam renewal application.


Finally, our staff is taking full advantage of this “quiet” time to visit members in the field, develop a policy document to guide the 131st Legislature and fact sheets for various sectors of our industry.


If you have any questions about the work we’re doing, please don’t hesitate to reach out to either Krysta or myself.


Best,


Pat Strauch

MFPC Executive Director

MFPC letter to U.S. House Appropriations Committee

LUPC accepting comments for Draft Moosehead Regional Planning Package

Deadline for comments: July 15, 2022

How to submit comments: By emailing Stacy Benjamin at Stacy.Benjamin@maine.gov or by mailing them to Land Use Planning Commission, 18 Elkins Ln., 22 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333.


The forest industry depends upon regulatory stability and predictability. The Council feels that LUPC’s amended Moosehead Region Planning Package provides neither for the following reasons:


1)   In the introduction to the Draft Moosehead Region Planning Package LUPC states that the Community Planning process was implemented to “inform and guide Commission land use decisions for the former development areas of the Concept Plan,” However, the Commission then suggests changes to many areas outside of the Concept Plan development areas. Adjacent landowners are only now realizing that the proposed Planning Package would directly impact them.


2)   In this proposal, the Council feels that criteria for primary and secondary development are still met for areas that have been removed in the draft planning documents. The proposal has not explained the application of any other criteria or principles that justify removing these areas – broad support, limited access, and limited area for development are vague terms without specific analysis to the parcels involved. This removal of zoning and lack of explanation creates unpredictability for landowners across the UT, impacting multiple landowners and landowner rights. Landowners have expectations based on policies and plans that the LUPC has put into place.


3)   LUPC appears to be considering utilizing zoning to accomplish forest management aesthetic goals, a move that would place barriers on forest management and the forest industry. Zones are appropriate for managing development, but are inappropriate as a management tool for forestry, which is already regulated under the jurisdiction of the Maine Forest Service. The Council strongly supports LUPC staff recommendations in the 4/27/22 memo to LUPC Commissioners regarding use of the P-UA zone; “Because the allowed residential and commercial uses in a P-UA subdistrict are similar to the General Management subdistrict, and in some cases less restrictive, it is important to note that rezoning to this subdistrict would not achieve the level of protection desired by commenters in the process, and which is best achieved through permanent land conservation. Providing that level of protection is outside the Commission’s purview.” Likewise, we affirm the decision that the use of the M-NC zone is inappropriate for the reasons described by staff.


4)   Designations for lakes that have been classified for a certain level of development should be honored unless there is a specific process where the landowners have been notified and given the opportunity to act so their land rights are respected. If classifications are changed, landowners must be given the opportunity to voice their concerns in a public way.


5)   Attendance of the meetings leading up to the Draft Moosehead Region Planning Package has been sparse, giving undue influence to a small number of attendees from places well beyond the impacted land and communities.  

Maine DEP accepting comments on WQC application for Shawmut Dam

Deadline: No deadline is advertised, however comments should be submitted by the end of August.

How to submit comments: Comments should be emailed to shawmutWQC.DEP@maine.gov


For more information, click here.

Sen. Lawrence: Let's save both the Atlantic salmon and the Shawmut Dam


Keeping a hydroelectric dam on the Kennebec River would be good for the environment and the economy.


Portland Press Herald, June 27, 2022


...The controversy over the Shawmut Dam is high stakes not only because existing hydropower is important to Maine’s climate policy, but also because the dam’s impoundment is critical to the neighboring paper mill in Somerset. The removal of the dam could result in the closure of the mill and the loss of the more than 700 union jobs.


It is time for a practical, pragmatic Maine solution. It is not a choice between the Shawmut Dam and the Atlantic Salmon.  It is a choice for both. Adopt the 96 percent standard and keep the clean power.


Mark W. Lawrence is a state senator from southern York County and Senate chair of the Energy, Utilities and Technology Committee.


MFS: Maine's forestry community continues to protect water quality during timber harvesting


The following are key findings of this year's report: 


  • Sixty-eight percent of sites had BMPs applied appropriately on crossings and approaches, or crossings were avoided. MFS BMPs emphasize planning harvests to avoid crossing streams whenever feasible. 

  • Eighty-four percent of sites evaluated for sediment input found no sediment entered a waterbody. A significant goal of BMPs is keeping sediment from reaching water bodies. 

  • Ninety-six percent of sites showed no evidence of chemical spills. Properly securing and storing chemicals is a vital BMP, as is being prepared with a plan and the proper equipment if a spill occurs.

  • When applied appropriately, BMPs effectively prevented sedimentation from entering water bodies. Sedimentation events were strongly correlated with inadequate application of BMPs or lack of maintenance of BMPs. 

  • Ninety-six percent of sample sites had no wetland crossing. Wetlands were avoided, or effective BMPs were used to cross.


Click here to view the full press release.

Weyerhaeuser helps host volunteer workday on Great Diamond Island


On Saturday, June 25, Jake Weber, a forester with Weyerhaeuser, and a group of his coworkers and peers brought their forestry skills and strong backs to Great Diamond Island to remove hazard trees and brush as part of the Firewise program. Jake coordinated with the Great Diamond Island Fire Department and the Maine Forest Service, which helped residents identify trees and understory that should be removed to reduce fuel loading and provide easier access for fighting fire.


To view the Council’s press release on this event, click here.

MFPC Deputy Director visits Woodland Pulp/St. Croix Tissue


On Wednesday, June 22 MFPC member Scott Beal brought our new Deputy Director, Krysta West, on a tour of St. Croix Tissue in Baileyville, Maine. Thanks to Scott for being such a gracious host. 


If you would like to host either Krysta or Pat at your facility this summer, please email Krysta at kwest@maineforest.org.

Welcome, Dove Tail Bat Company!



Please join us in welcoming Paul Lancisi from Dove Tail Bat Company as the newest member of the Maine Forest Products Council!


Dove Tail Bats produces approximately 30,000 high quality baseball bats each year in Shirley, Maine. They are certified to sell to pro players and have the privilege of having three baseball bats entered into the Hall of Fame.

Maine & Co. present to MFPC Board of Directors


During our May board meeting, Peter DelGreco and Ashley Pringle from Maine and Co. joined us for a presentation outlining the services and mission of the organization. A private non-profit that works across the state, Maine & Co. provides free and confidential consulting services to businesses looking to relocate to Maine or expand within Maine. The purpose of the presentation was to gauge industry priorities, and to help identify potential opportunities within our state to benefit the forest products industry.

 

If you are interested in connecting with Maine and Co. to learn more, or explore specific opportunities, Ashley Pringle can be reached at 207-956-2387 or apringle@maineco.org.

BPL: Logging and forestry education grant RFP


Deadline is July 15


The Bureau of Parks and Lands is seeking applications for the second round of the new Logging and Forestry Education Grant Program. Individual grant applications may be up to $50,000 and eligible applicants are limited to Maine public secondary or public postsecondary institutions or career and technical education centers that are related to logging or forestry. Programs that received funding in 2021 are not eligible to apply for the current cycle. The total funding available for grants this cycle is up to $150,000. Given the importance of a skilled logging workforce to the sustainable harvest of timber from Maine’s Public Reserved Lands, the purpose of this logging and forestry education grant program is to assist in the development of logging professionals.


Click here for more information.


Save the Date for Maine Forest Product Council’s Biggest Event of the Year!

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What: 62nd MFPC Annual Meeting 

Where: Sunday River Ski Resort, Grand Summit Hotel, 97 Summit Rd, Newry

When: September 18th (evening) and 19th (all day)

 

The Maine Forest Products Council invites you to attend our 62nd annual membership meeting at the beautiful Grand Summit Hotel in Newry, Maine. This event will start with a BBQ Sunday evening at 6 o’clock. Monday, we will get down to business bright and early with a breakfast at the hotel followed by our annual membership meeting and presentations on a number of topics including forest carbon, the Spruce Budworm, transportation issues and more. To register, return this form, to Sue McCarthy at adminassist@maineforest.org. If you have any questions, call 622-9288 or send her an email.

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

Krysta West, Deputy 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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