Panel on Optimizing Wood Harvesting in Maine Notes of March 4, 2009 Meeting Attending Chip Bessey Alan Hutchinson Sandy Brawders Tony Lyons Jim Contino Kevin McCarthy Doug Denico Don Mansius Gordon Gamble Rosaire Pelletier Alec Giffen George Soffron Nathan Hebel John Williams Introduction Chairman Giffen explained the purpose of the edited document – to outline areas of agreement vs. disagreement. Discussion of RPS Standards * Nathan Hebel explained their position as opposing the sections of part 4 of the document lines out, and said he had not been able to reach consensus with other parties. * Sandy Brawders suggests piloting for behind-the-meter production to NEGC. * Tony Lyons – Need sections deleted to be retained and if not, won’t support. * George Soffron– All we care about is this issue (section 4 of the document). * Jim Contino – Wants to keep all of #4. Certification * Tony Lyons reported on his conversation with Bob Simpson, which was exploratory. Tony explained his perspective that Maine has the potential to capitalize on the advantages presented by: * 11 million TGTL * 7 million of this in large acreages * 5.5 million certified * 3.5 million small ownership o 700k in stewardship – these are a primary target – what is needed is a group manager o 2.8 might be able to be certified under Tree Farm – o For the acres beyond stewardship, the question is whether or not they meet ATFS standards * Jim Contino – suggested there were five “Camp Fires” that needed to be fanned: * AFT group expansion – shows promise * Trust expansion – ongoing * FSC multi-site pilots * Master Logger * Procurement system expansion Hopes everyone could sign on to support these efforts * Sandy Brawders – * Fabulous if 700k acres of stewardship could be certified * Trust experts to “quadruple” 100k acre challenge: o TNC, land trusts – large loggers, are coming to the trust. * Tony Lyons & Jim Contino – willing to open up TGTL to achieve certification * Doug – small and landowners would object to this * Jim Contino – expansion of certification should be good for everyone * Chairman Giffen outlined the history of what has been done to promote and encourage certification, and asked people to make specific suggestions for what wd can do collectively to promote certification * Chip Bessey– What could we do to create a Step 2 TGTL program? Is he the only one who worries about markets? * Sandy Brawders – Consider tying certification to eligibility for carbon credits (embed NCS in FSC?) * Jim Contino – We need to encourage the 5 fires to grow and develop new measures of success * George Soffron – If this is critical to the industry, we need to recommend something with teeth. What kind of financial juice can we add to the mix? * Dan Riley from Bernstein, Shur, Sawyer and Nelson suggested the Panel seek the advice of the Attorney Generals’ Office about the Sherman Antitrust Act before continuing the Panel’s work. * Nathan Hebel – Boralex will recuse themselves from any conversation related to: * Price * Barriers to entry * Highest and best use Wood Supply * Reviewed Tony’s proposal – proposed as regulatory because a voluntary would be illegal. * Nathan says he needs to recuse himself. Take Home Messages * Chairman Giffen to talk with folks and try and chart a course forward on Section 4 of document. * Chairman Giffen will check with the Attorney General’s office on what the Panel can discuss in group. * Chairman Giffen will talk with Don Mansius about certification, and what else if anything is possible beyond recognizing and supporting the 5 efforts outlined by Jim Contino: * Analysis of Tree Farm and TGTL Next Meeting The next meeting is Monday, March 23rd, 1:00 pm at the1st Floor Conference Room of the State Planning Office, 184 State Street, Augusta. (NOTE THE CHANGE OF VENUE).