April 3, 2000
Art Harwood
P.O. Box
244 Branscomb
California 95417
(707) 984-6187
FAX : (707) 984-6631
Letters to the Editor
The Wall Street Journal
200 Liberty St.
New York, N.Y. 10281 53
Editor:
Your February 23 article on the Fisher Family's entry into the Redwood business only tells part of the story. I spent close to two hours talking to Peter Waldman about MRC. The couple of quotes he chose did not fairly represent my overall views about MRC.
Although Mendocino Redwood Company has been criticized by some, one needs to consider where they have come from and where they are heading before passing judgement.
Anytime that someone jumps into a new venture, there is a learning curve. As new players in the forest products industry, MRC in a short time has come a long way in their ascendance of this curve and as might be expected they have faced their share of challenges along the way.
Sandy Dean from day one has professed Mendocino Redwood Company's commitment to sustainable forestry. Some feel that MRC may not have moved in that direction as far and fast as critics would like. Yet the commitment that MRC has made to change the forest practices of their predecessors, seeking Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification, is a clear indication that they intend to walk the talk when it comes to sustainable forestry.
To gain Forest Stewardship Council certification requires a rigorous independent third party audit of current forest practices. Part of this audit includes input from local stakeholders that include many of Mendocino Redwood Company's most vocal critics. MRC was turned down initially for FSC certification and given a list of things that they needed to improve in to gain certification. At this time MRC is making the changes that they hope will gain them FSC certification. At the time FSC certification is gained, critics should be prepared to give credit where credit is due.
Art Harwood
President /CEO Harwood Products
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