History
There are few laws or mandatory procedures to address how our private forests are managed in the Southeast.

The forests of the Southern U.S. supply 25 percent of world’s paper and timber demands. The South is now cutting more timber than the rest of the country combined, and more than any other country in the World.

We believe current forest policy often fails to address the values and benefits of forests when guiding forest management decisions. Southeastern states have virtually no laws in place that govern how much timber is cut, and equally important, very few laws that govern the manner in which it is cut. Without protective laws, citizen landowners have no recourse when more timber is cut than agreed upon, streams are damaged, and landscapes are degraded. In fact, many state forestry agencies do not even know where and when the timber cutting is taking place. Moreover, in all Southeastern states except Kentucky, forest practice guidelines meant to protect water quality, called best management practices (BMP), are voluntary.

This lack of forest and water quality protection, along with dramatic increases in the region’s rate of converting forests to non-forest uses such as development, imperils one of the most biologically rich and diverse regions. Unchecked industrial forestry brings rapid conversion of native forests to pine plantations and widespread, toxic aerial spraying of pesticides. The livelihoods of forest workers, lumber mills, and “value added” businesses such as flooring and furniture manufacturers, are being eliminated or severely eroded by externally owned corporations that are increasingly directing timber supplies to paper-making. In other words, local economies that should benefit economically and culturally from healthy forest resources, are being damaged and destroyed. Moreover, vital local and regional water resources are threatened.

Public Outcry causes state studies
Public concerns over the upward trends in logging in the South caused four state legislatures to mandate studies of the effects on forest health and economies from the increase in industrial clearcutting to supply wood chip mills.

Conservationists act to ensure forests for future generations
Conservation activists found the results of state studies generally inadequate, and the studies reinforced the status quo. A number of activists joined to create a long-term vision of sustainability for Southern forests and strategies to achieve that vision. Strategies include promoting forest conservation easements, creating market pressures on wood and paper retailers that buy from pulp and paper companies with unsustainable forest practices, and reforming policy and legislation. MFPP chose the reform of forest policy and forest practice laws as its goal.

Seeking most effective laws
In the summer of 2000, MFPP conducted a pilot research project in three of the ten U.S. States with the most comprehensive forest practice laws. Dr. Nancy Gilliam, MFPP executive director, interviewed environmental leaders, attorneys, forestry department officials, and professional foresters involved with state forestry practice laws in California, Oregon and Washington.

The interviews were designed to identify effective forestry statutes and regulations, learn the reasons why laws did and did not work, and decide which components could be utilized to avoid reinventing the wheel in the South.

A secondary benefit to the interviews was the building of relationships which ultimately have become the core of a powerful network that links expert advisors with those seeking guidance. The network also serves as a collaborative exchange among individuals working on forestry reform in various Southern states.

Model Forest Policy Tool Kit sums up ideal forest practice laws
The Forest Policy Tool Kit is the result of the many interviews and research on the best forest practice laws and regulatory programs in the country, combined with the skills and collaboration of professional policy advisors and the MFPP staff. The Tool Kit is now being used by decision-makers, citizens and groups to develop scientific and economically sound forestry legislation for communities and states in the South.

Related Links:
Below are links to organizations interviewed in Dr. Gilliam’s research project in three of the ten U.S. States with the most comprehensive forest practice laws.

Environmental Protection Information Center (EPIC)
http://www.wildcalifornia.org/
EPIC was formed by community activists more than 26 years ago, and works to protect and restore ancient forests, watersheds, coastal estuaries, and native species throughout Northwest California. EPIC uses an integrated, science-based approach, combining public education, citizen advocacy, and strategic litigation.

Washington Forest Law Center
http://www.wflc.org/
Washington Forest Law Center is a nonprofit corporation providing
legal services for forest cases of statewide significance and specializes incases involving timber harvest and public resource issues on state and private lands. The Washington Forest Law Center was founded in 1996. The Center is a 501(c)(3) public interest law firm that frequently co-counsels cases of state law with the Earthjustice Legal Defense Fund, a national public interest environmental law firm.

Washington Environmental Council
http://www.wecprotects.org/
The Washington Environmental Council (WEC) is a statewide advocacy organization that works at the state level to improve and enforce our environmental laws