Order Regarding the Purchasing of Wood and Paper Products from Certified Sources 8/13/2003

August 13, 2003

02 FY 04/05

WHEREAS, Maine is the national leader in the percentage of forestland that is certified by independent, third-party, market-based systems designed to demonstrate to the public that forest products originate from forests managed to balance harvests with growth, maintain good water quality, and protect ecosystems and other environmental qualities; and

WHEREAS, the development of a demand for certified goods is vital to efforts to encourage forest certification in Maine; and

WHEREAS, Maine State government purchases substantial volumes of forest-based products:

NOW, THEREFORE, I, John E. Baldacci, Governor of the State of Maine do hereby order the Director of the Bureau of General Services, in cooperation with the Department of Conservation, to develop a procurement policy to require, whenever feasible, the purchase by the State of certified wood and paper products and submit that policy for my review no later than November 1, 2003. Effective Date

The effective date of this Executive order is August 13, 2003.