WHEREAS,  eighty-nine percent of Maine's land is forested, making it the most forested state by proportion in the United States; and

WHEREAS,  the forest products sector plays a vital role in the economic health and future of Maine's rural communities; and

WHEREAS,  fifty-three percent of the State's forestland, about 9,400,000 acres, is under 3rd-party sustainable forest certification; and

WHEREAS,  Maine's forest products sector provides nearly 38,800 jobs, provides $1,900,000,000 in employee compensation, accounts for one out of every 20 jobs in the State, provides $1 of every $16 of total state gross domestic product and has an $8,000,000,000 impact on Maine's economy annually; and

WHEREAS,  Maine's working forests play an important role in providing a wide array of ecosystem services, including providing for clean air, clean water, wildlife habitat and biodiversity; and

WHEREAS,  Maine forests contain a large variety of tree species capable of yielding a wide array of forest products; and

WHEREAS,  Maine has one of the most diverse forest products industries in the United States, with a highly integrated processing and transportation system; and

WHEREAS,  Maine's 100,000 woodland owners play a vital role in the future of the forest industry; and

WHEREAS,  the recent closure of 5 pulp and paper mills has had a negative effect on the people and economies of Maine; and

WHEREAS,  future business opportunities in Maine's forest products sector have not been identified in a strategic context to attract major capital investments; and

WHEREAS,  there is a tremendous opportunity, with vision and leadership, to encourage investment in new business and economic development opportunities in Maine's forest products sector; and

WHEREAS,  action is needed to remove obstacles and encourage investment to develop Maine's future forest-based economy; and

WHEREAS,  the University of Maine and the State's woodland owners, wood-using mills and businesses and loggers are working together to craft and implement solutions that will strengthen the State's economy for future generations; now, therefore, be it