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State Government Support
Massachusetts Massachusetts House of Representatives Resolutions TO COMMEND THE AMERICAN FOREST & PAPER ASSOCIATION'S SUSTAINABLE FORESTRY INITIATIVE® PROGRAM. WHEREAS, the Massachusetts forest product industry, has pledged itself to the continuing principles of sustainable forestry by initiating the Sustainable Forestry Initiative®, a self-regulatory program committed to responsible environmental stewardship of the forests, water resources, and wildlife; and WHEREAS, the agenda of the Sustainable Forestry Initiative is to educate the public as to the importance, and train in the methods of protecting these valuable resources, and to promote and monitor the progress made toward this worthy goal; and WHEREAS, the forest products industry strives to manage Massachusetts' forest resources for non-commodity values such as habitat for wildlife, recreational opportunities, scenic landscapes, clean air, stable soil, and high quality water for future generations to enjoy; and WHEREAS, the state of Massachusetts has enrolled 285,000 acres of state forest land in the Sustainable Forestry Initiative®; and WHEREAS, an essential component of the Massachusetts economy, the forest products industry is comprised of more than 24,300 employees, representing 5 per cent of the manufacturing work force, with a payroll of nearly $845 million; and WHEREAS, the citizens of Massachusetts have always taken great pride in the Commonwealth's rich bounty of natural resources, and the careful stewardship of these precious assets is essential if future generations are to benefit from them; and WHEREAS, in order to be most effective, this initiative needs the cooperation and support of all entities with responsibilities for management of or ownership of forest land in Massachusetts; therefore, be it RESOLVED, that the Massachusetts House of Representatives commend Massachusetts' forest products industry for its history of care and commitment to the responsible use of resources; and be it further RESOLVED, that the Massachusetts House of Representatives hereby recognizes the development and supports the objectives of the American Forest & Paper Association's Sustainable Forestry Initiative® as a means to this end; and be it further RESOLVED, that a copy of these resolutions be forwarded by the Clerk of the House of Representatives to the American Forest and Paper Association. ~House of Representatives, Adopted, December 20, 2001 |
