February 23, 2000
Wall Street Journal
To the Editor:
The February 23 front-page article "Chain Sawed" concludes with a quote from John Fisher stating that "if we are successful from an environmental perspective, but unsuccessful from a business perspective, we won't be here." The Fisher family is working to balance their environmental responsibility with their business practices in the management of 350 square miles of timberland in Mendocino County, California, and they should be commended for that. In August, a review panel denied the Fishers Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification for its management plan on timber holdings there, but the family intends to re-apply to "underscore its environmental commitments."
We applaud the Fisher family's pursuit to balance environmental responsibility and business practicality by seeking to earn the Forest Stewardship Council label for their forest products. The FSC certification system respects the needs of business while guaranteeing that the forest a product came from is managed to protect clean water, wildlife habitat and recreation.
And the FSC is catching on fast here in the U.S.
The FSC counts among its supporters World Wildlife Fund, The Wilderness Society and Natural Resources Defense Council. Leading American corporations, including Home Depot, NIKE, Gibson Musical Instruments, Colonial Craft, and The Freeman Corporation. are getting involved by procuring and selling FSC-labeled products. And Minnesota, Pennsylvania and New York together have certified over 3 million acres of state forests-ensuring they will be around for future generations to use and enjoy.
And we're just getting started.
Hank Cauley
Executive Director
Forest Stewardship Council, U.S.
Wall Street Journal article with MRC's response.
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