Maine § 8876. - Forest Resource Assessment Program

§ 8876.. Forest Resource Assessment Program

There is established in the Bureau of Forestry a Forest Resource Assessment Program. The purpose of the Forest Resource Assessment Program is to systematically and continually assess the ability of the State's forests to provide sustainable forest resources and socioeconomic benefits for the people of this State. The Director of the Bureau of Forestry, referred to in this subchapter as "the director," shall implement this program to:   [PL 1997, c. 720, §9 (AMD); PL 2011, c. 657, Pt. W, §7 (REV); PL 2013, c. 405, Pt. A, §23 (REV).]

1.  Current status.  Assess the current status of forest resources, using standards of forest sustainability developed in accordance with section 8876‑A;

2.  Future demand.   Project future demand for forest resources based on a common economic forecast developed by the Consensus Economic Forecasting Commission and on other appropriate economic projections;

3.  Trends.  Identify trends in resource utilization and forecast supply available to meet the projected demands; and

4.  Potential shortfalls.  Identify potential shortfalls in forest resources and the management and policy actions necessary in the public and private sector to avoid shortfalls.

5.  Recomendations. 

The director shall coordinate the efforts of this program fully with ongoing bureau and federal forestry program planning efforts and with the efforts of the Maine Economic Growth Council to develop a long-term plan for the State's economy pursuant to Title 10, section 929‑B.   [PL 1997, c. 720, §9 (AMD); PL 2011, c. 657, Pt. W, §7 (REV); PL 2013, c. 405, Pt. A, §23 (REV).]