Minnesota State Forests Certified as "Sustainable"

From: Environment News Service <www.ens-newswire.com>

Minnesota State Forests Certified Sustainable

MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota, January 11, 2006 (ENS) - Minnesota state forest land
covering 4.8 million acres has been certified as sustainable, Governor Tim
Pawlenty announced on Friday. The newly awarded sustainable status makes
Minnesota the largest certified forest land base in the United States.

The certifications were issued by the two top independent forest
certification organizations in North America, the Sustainable Forestry
Initiative, an industry group, and the Forest Stewardship Council, an
independent group that has its roots in the environmental community. With
this effort, Minnesota now becomes a leader in managed acreage according to
the best conservation practices required for certification.

"Minnesotans have always taken great pride in our vast forests," said
Governor Pawlenty, a Republican. "Today's achievement is a testament to our
long-term commitment to responsible stewardship of our heritage and future."

Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty campaigned on a promise to make state
forests sustainable. (Photo courtesy Office of the Governor)

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) manages the state forest
lands for multiple uses, including recreation and timber production.

Certification as a sustainable forest involves a rigorous on-the-ground
review by independent third party auditors of all aspects of the DNR's
forest management practices such as reforestation, harvesting methods,
maintaining water quality, and managing for the conservation of wildlife and
plant species.

Once the standards for long-term sustainability are met, certification can
be awarded. Annual certification rechecks will be held and the state must
reapply after five years.

In 2003 the Governor's Task Force on the Competitiveness of Minnesota's
Forest-Based Industries recommended that the state seek certification of its
lands as a way to insure that an adequate supply of certified wood fiber
would be available to paper and wood products mills in Minnesota.

Certification was seen as a key factor to improve the competitiveness of
Minnesota's forest products industry.

Pawlenty said, "Certification is valuable as conservation-minded citizens
increase the demand for certified forest products. This includes everything
from building materials to the paper sought by international magazine
publishers who rely on top quality printing paper made from Minnesota forest
products."

In Minnesota, timber-related industries employ over 30,000 workers, with
total wages over $1.4 billion annually. Approximately 60 percent of forest
land - 10 million acres - is owned and managed by county, state and federal
governments, with the remaining 40 percent - seven million acres ­ owned
privately.

"With the SFI and FSC certified forest designations, our citizens and
customers are reassured that products from our state forest lands have been
grown, managed and harvested in a way that will assure long-term
sustainability for biological, social and economic benefits," said
Commissioner of the Minnesota DNR Gene Merriam.

³The sustainable management of these DNR state forest lands is also
important for tourism by providing recreational opportunities as well as
habitat for a wide array of plants and animals, while also improving the
quality of our water and air," said Merriam.

Harvesting Minnesota forests is now certified as sustainable. (Photo
courtesy Minnesota Forest Resources Council) Smartwood, which conducts
Forest Stewardship Council certification, estimates that between five and 15 percent of forest products in the United
States currently are certified sustainable.

In addition to the state forest certification, Governor Pawlenty proposes to
ask the voters for approval of a $187 million bond for capital expenditures
on conservation.

"It's time to make a stronger commitment to conservation and the outdoors by
putting this amendment on the ballot this year to permanently dedicate
resources to the environment for our children and grandchildren," Pawlenty
said, announcing his priorities at the a speech Saturday to the DNR Annual
Roundtable in St. Cloud.

Projects recommended for funding include $18 million to permanently save
large tracts of forest land, expand state forests and plant trees.

The largest amount is $38.8 million that would be spent for drinking water
and waste water programs at the Department of Employment and Economic
Development and an additional $15 million for waste water infrastructure.
The governor proposes $30.1 million to continue efforts to put 120,000
sensitive acres under the federal Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program
program through the Board of Water and Soil Resources.

Proposals include $27 million in new spending for seven different fish and
wildlife programs, $16.5 million for parks, trails, water access and land
acquisition to improve outdoor recreation $11.7 million to expand metro area
parks through the Met Council.

Finally, the governor wants approval of $11.1 million to deal with dangerous
landfills for environmentally friendly methods of solid waste disposal
through the Pollution Control Agency.

"This is a comprehensive package that addresses a wide variety of
Minnesota's environmental and conservation challenges," Governor Pawlenty
said. "I am hopeful the Legislature will agree that funding these projects
is critical to continuing a bright future for Minnesota."
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