MFA Issues of Concern

While the MFA is involved in many forestry related topics, this page highlights our general policy positions, as well as issues of concern to our organization. An annual Legislative Notebook (pdf file) is produced and sent to all members of the General Assembly and key Department leaders. Contact us at mdforests@hereintown.net with your position on these and other forestry related issues.

You can also join us now in the effort to raise
the level of awareness on these and other issues.

To check on which bills MFA is currently monitoring, click on bills of concern.

Policy Positions
The mission of the Maryland Forests Association is to promote the maintenance of a healthy and productive forest land base, so as to enhance the economic, environmental , and social well-being of all who live in the State.

To that end, the Maryland Forests Association supports:

Maintenance of a healthy and productive forest land base

  • Recognizing the essential role of private forest landowners, who own more than 75 percent of Maryland's forest land, and the economic dimensions of land ownership.
  • Supporting forestry and the forest products industry as an important element of the state's economy, essential for maintaining unfragmented forest land in rural areas.
  • Recognizing that land managed for forest products also provides public social and environmental benefits, including water quality, soil conservation, wildlife habitat, and recreation.
  • Supporting continuing Forest Inventory and Analysis of forest resources in the state in order to provide the up-to-date information essential for proper management.
  • Supporting adequate funding and personnel for effective control of forest insect pests and diseases and for prevention and control of wildfires.
  • Supporting effective, science-based wildlife management through regulated hunting and the creation of varied wildlife habitats across the landscape, with recognition of the need for effective reduction and control of the deer herd.
  • Recognizing that development is the chief cause of forest loss and supporting incentives to curb sprawl and foster redevelopment, including brownfields, in underutilized urban areas.

    Public policies that encourage sound forest management

  • Requiring stewardship plans on all forest conservation easements acquired under the Rural Legacy program, so as to maintain "proper management of ... wooded areas through accepted ... silvicultural practices" as provided by law while disallowing restrictions on forest management, including harvesting of trees, in perpetuity.
  • Requiring all forested state lands to be managed under professionally prepared Stewardship Plans, using the Chesapeake Forest to demonstrate the value of sustainable forest management for productive use.
  • Implementing policies and programs for forest landowners that encourage forest retention, including cost sharing, technical assistance, and tax relief.
  • Rebuilding the Forest Service to renew and strengthen its traditional emphasis on education and technical assistance to public and private forest landowners.
  • Promoting the use of wood as the most energy efficient and renewable resource for "Green Building."

    Forest stewardship on private land

  • Upholding the Practice of Forestry Act and the fundamental right of private property owners to practice forestry on their own land in accordance with its provisions.
  • Promoting forest management based on the best available science, in accordance with landowner objectives, through educational outreach, cooperation, and incentives.
  • Promoting Best Management Practices, the Maryland/Delaware Master Logger program, and voluntary third-party certification to improve forestry practices on the land.
  • Conserving game and nongame wildlife, water quality, aesthetics, and recreational opportunities.

    Sustainable forestry management wherever feasible on all forested land, public and private.

  • "Sustainable Forestry" means managing our forests to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs by practicing a land stewardship ethic that integrates planting, growing, and harvesting of trees for useful products with the conservation of soil, water quality, wildlife habitat, and aesthetics.
  • MFA supports dual certification of sustainable forestry practices on State Forests under the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) and the Forest Stewardship Council programs.
  • MFA supports voluntary certification of private forests under the American Tree Farm System, SFI, or another recognized certification system.  


Issues of Special Concern for 2007

  • The following link will take you to a pdf version of MFA's 2007 Legislative Notebook that was prepared for the members of the 2007 General Assembly.
2007 MFA Legislative Notebook