Timber Bulletin May/Jun - Minnesota Forest Industries

potential implementation.In the morning’s finalpresentation, DNR ForestCertification CoordinatorRebecca Barnard discussedthe latest developmentsin Forest Certification thatTPA members should beaware of. She outlined themarket-driven forces thathave resulted in the need forcertified wood in our state,and how the implementationof the Forest ManagementGuidelines serve to facilitatewood certification.Barnard also briefed TPAmembers on FSC’s proposalto implement 343 new draft“International GenericIndicators” (IGIs), and theconcerns the DNR has overthe issue. Barnard said theDNR agrees with only 62 of theproposed IGIs – only 18% – and thatthey won’t work here in Minnesota.Among the problems withthe proposed IGIs, according toBarnard:• They reference internationaltreaties that haven’t beenratified in the U.S.• Many won’t lead to benefits onthe ground.• They broaden the definitionsof “local communities” andL-R: Jerry Richards of Norbord and Joe and Larry Dukek of Dukek Logging have thechance to spend time together during the social hour before the TPA Annual Banquet.“forest workers,” including oneprovision that would requirethe DNR to see to it that “forestworkers” have a balanced dietThe balanced diet requirementis “clearly inappropriate,” Barnardsaid. “We’re not accepting thisunder any terms.”Barnard said DNR CommissionerTom Landwehr has written a letterto FSC International that states,“Unless FSC revamps its wholeapproach to the IGIs, MNDNR willneed to reevaluate the viability ofcontinued FSC Forest Management(FM) Certification on the 4.96million acres of currently certifiedstate lands.”FSC is still receiving commentson the proposed IGIs. TPA willbe submitting comments on theproposals.TPA Thanks Our Sponsors!Annual Meeting Sponsors:AgStar Financial ServicesBell Timber, Inc.Boise PaperBorder State BankFryberger, Buchanan, Smith & Frederick, P.A.Hedstrom Lumber CompanyMinnesota Forest IndustriesMN SFI ® Implementation CommitteeNorbord MinnesotaNortraxPomp’s Tire / Titan TirePonsse North AmericaPotlatch CorporationPrairie TrailerRDO - Vermeer LLCSappi Fine PaperUPM – Blandin PaperZiegler CATDoor Prizes:AgStarBlandinBoiseBorder State BankLand -O- Lakes Wood PreservingMFINorbordPetro ChoicePotlatchSappiUltima BankVermeerKeynote speaker and chainsawsponsored by Minnesota ForestIndustries18Timber Bulletin May/June 2013